ILOILO City – The city government is next targeting public utility vehicle drivers and conductors, market traders and house helpers for vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The city’s vaccination team will go to the Ceres bus transport terminal in Barangay Buhang, Jaro district today to vaccinate Vallacar Transit personnel and jeepney drivers, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Jeck Conlu, head of the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO), said they are also finalizing the vaccination schedules for transport terminals in Barangay Mohon, Arevalo and Barangay Baldoza, La Paz, among others.
Transport sector members are among economic frontliners exposed to the viral disease, considering their daily duties, Treñas pointed out.
The city government has so far vaccinated almost 3,000 jeepney drivers – some are waiting for their second dose schedules.
The city government is also including traders peddling their produce and other wares in major public markets and even delivery van drivers.
“We know most of them come from outside the city, so we are not sure if they are vaccinated or not. Worse, if they are carriers of COVID-19. We just want to protect them and our people in the market,” Treñas said.
The Iloilo Terminal Market, popularly known as “Super”, would be prioritized as it is the city’s main trading post, the mayor added.
Majority of the vendors and market personnel there have already been vaccinated against COVID-19, Treñas noted.
The vaccination team will conduct a vaccination roll out in Super on Friday, Sept. 3.
“We have to test and to vaccinate fast because these are the only ways we can hope to beat the Delta variant (of the virus causing COVID-19),” Treñas stressed.
The city government is also calling on residents here employing household help to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Treñas said he has been receiving reports from employers who got infected by their helpers.
“Apparently, the house helps go home every weekend, and when they return, they unknowingly carry with them the virus thereby infecting them all,” he said.
Vaccinating the helpers is one way of protecting them and the household they work in, some of which have small children and senior citizens.
Treñas said the helpers in the city usually take an off for a day or two, and go home to their respective provinces or municipalities, thus making them potential spreaders of COVID-19.
“We are also reaching out to homeowners’ associations so they can ensure that residents with household helps can avail of our vaccination program in the barangays,” Treñas stated.
For helpers without identification cards, their employers can make one for them or issue a certificate of employment so they can be easily identified and registered, he added.
Moreover, the city government is also bringing vaccines closer to those living in subdivisions.
Treñas said the vaccination team will set the schedule for those willing to avail of the vaccination rollout depending on available supplies.
“For homeowners associations who want their members to get the (vaccines), they may get in touch to finalize the plan in their respective facilities,” Treñas said.
Interested parties may send in the following details: Name, Address, and Contact Number, to Chiqui Blancaflor at 09173023812. (With a report from Iloilo City PIO/PN)