By Ben Balce
Associate Editor
A DRIVE-THROUGH vaccination program, “Vaccine Express,” initiated by Vice President Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo, will be in COC Phinma in Cagayan de Oro City this morning.
Robredo’s media officer Joseph Nagasangan said it expanded in the city, aiming to vaccinate 500 individuals, coming from the group of trisikad drivers.
“Under the A5 category or indigent sector. 250 Sinovac and 250 Astrazenica vaccines will be administered,” said Nagasangan.
The group of trisikad drivers is one of the informal sectors and daily wage earners who faced economic struggle even before the pandemic.
“Pre-pandemic, the drivers earned at least P300 per day. However with the pandemic, their income decreased to an average range of P80-100 per day,” said Nagasangan.
Nagasangan also said, through a series of consultations and rapid area assessment, the Tabang Sikad group together with Balaod Mindanaw found out that the trisikad drivers have insufficient knowledge of the effects and benefits of being vaccinated against Covid-19.
He added their meager earning and perception that the vaccine will make them sick prompted them to choose to continue their daily work than get vaccinated and lose a day’s earning.
To help curb the spread of the virus and protect their members, the group reached out to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to bring Vaccine Express to Cagayan de Oro City, said Nagasangan.
The vaccine express will be in COC Phinma Senior Highschool Building, Cagayan De Oro from 9 am to 2 pm, according to Nagasangan, adding that the vice president shall visit the Vaccine Express 1st dose in the city.
He said that as an incentive, vaccinees will receive five cans of sardines, four cans of meatloaf, four noodles, one pack of biscuits, eight sachets of adult milk drink, one pack of Sugus candy, 14 sachets of seasoning, one pack of sanitary napkin, five kilograms of rice, and 50 pieces of face masks.
He said Robredo’s office assembled a medical team composed of local volunteers and other volunteers from civil society organizations to implement this initiative.
For this run, 10 medical professionals and 16 medical students will be mobilized, according to Nagasangan.
Tabang Sikad together with Balaod Mindanaw will also prepare the master list of beneficiaries who will oversee the registration station and the incentive station.
The following are the Angat Buhay Partners for this run of Vaccine Express, such as Cagayan de Oro City Health, Balaod Mindanaw, Tabang sikad, Phinma – COC, Cebu Pacific, Tri-Vision, and Chef’s Secret, Inc.
Mars Wrigley Philippines, Nestle Philippines Inc., and Medtecs International Corp. Ltd (facemasks) are the donors for the relief packs to be distributed.