CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City’s vaccination efforts will be showcased during the kick-off of the three-day National Vaccination Days on November 29-December 1.
“We were informed by (Department of Interior and Local Government), naa’y ongoing meeting karon, that we will be showcased during launching,” said acting Cebu City administrator Engr. Suzanne Ardosa in a press conference yesterday.
Ardosa said the city is busy completing the manpower needed for the 90 teams to be spread in all barangays to vaccinate persons on those three days.
Aside from the 90 teams, the city’s regular vaccination sites will also remain during these days since the upcoming national vaccination will also include those due for second dose and minors aged 12 to 17.
Personnel from all of City Hall’s 27 departments will be also mobilized for the three-day massive jabbing.
To further augment the teams, the city government has also coordinated with medical schools and hospitals for reinforcements.
Non-government agencies and the private sector have also expressed their willingness to help.
Aside from targeting nearly 100,000 inoculations on those three days, the city is also looking at having vaccinated with first dose at least 70% of its eligible population by the end of this month.
“We are tapping everyone. Ato ning tanan. Hopefully, we will surpass, not just the 32 thousand (daily target) but we hope to be able to (inoculate) as many para makuha na nato ang 70% first dose before the end of this month,” Ardosa said.
Excused from work
Meanwhile, employees from the government and private sectors who will have themselves vaccinated during the three-day vaccination period will be excused from work.
This, after President Rodrigo Duterte declared November 29 to December 1 as the “Bayanihan, Bakunahan National COVID-19 Vaccination Days” through Proclamation No. 1253.
Authorities target to vaccinate 15 million individuals during the three-day drive.
“Employees and workers of the government and the private sector, who will be vaccinated during the aforesaid period, shall not be considered absent from their work, provided that they present proof of vaccination to their respective employers, subject to rules that may be issued by the Department of Labor and Employment and the Civil Service Commission,” Duterte said.
Like what Cebu City is doing, Duterte also urged national government agencies, state universities and colleges, local government units, and the private sector to participate in the event and provide necessary support.
“There is a need to cultivate the Bayanihan spirit of the Filipino people by forging unity and cooperation among relevant stakeholders to expedite and intensify the government’s vaccination program against COVID-19,” Duterte said.
Over 33.84 million Filipinos have completed vaccination against COVID-19 since March, the latest data showed. Meanwhile, 42.63 million people have received partial protection.
Aside from Cebu City, two other highly-urbanized cities in Cebu — Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue — are also gearing up for the national vaccination days.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan said they are preparing eight vaccination sites.
Mandaue City vaccine czar Ernie Manatad, for his part, said they are in the process of finalizing the preparations.
Both Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue are ahead of Cebu City in terms of vaccine coverage or number of persons inoculated with respect to the eligible population. — JMD (FREEMAN)