National government agencies in Central Luzon pledged their support to the PinasLakas! national vaccination campaign ramping up the inoculation of COVID-19 booster shots.
During Tuesday’s launching, Department of Education Medical Officer Gladys Lourdes Bengco emphasized that the welfare and health of the students and teachers is paramount as the region is now preparing for the reopening of face-to-face classes.
“Participation of vaccinated learners is preferred and DepEd encourages the continuous and effective vaccination of our learners as an additional layer of safety precaution against the threat of COVID-19. Teachers and non-teaching personnel are also encouraged to get their booster dose,” she said.
The agency also vowed to work continuously and hand-in-hand with Department of Health (DOH) to advocate vaccination among students, teachers, and non-teaching personnel to ensure their safety inside the schools.
In addition, Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Director Marites Maristela underscored that the PinasLakas! vaccination campaign will be beneficial to the vulnerable sectors of the society including the youth, senior citizens, indigenous peoples, and women who need to get their boosters shots.
“This would also benefit us as service providers because we need to be ready mentally, physically, and emotionally so that the implementation of various response and even recovery programs are continuous to fight the impact and effects of COVID-19,” she added.
Maristela further said that the vaccination drive will strengthen the immunity of service providers, duty bearers, and the public against the disease to push harder in sustaining the country’s recovery programs.
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples OIC-Regional Director Roman Antonio, on the other hand, highlighted the agency’s commitment to go above and beyond in helping DOH to encourage the indigenous peoples to get vaccinated.
“There is a high vaccine hesitancy among our indigenous peoples because of their culture. But we can reach our targets through proper coordination between them, the local government units, and the national government agencies. We are willing to help in explaining to our indigenous peoples the effectiveness of the vaccines,” he stated.
He pressed that the region must continue working with the spirit of bayanihan to keep on moving forward despite the effects of the pandemic.
The PinasLakas! vaccination campaign aims to administer booster doses to about 50 percent of the target eligible population, and 90 percent of the Priority Group A2 or senior citizens during the first 100 days of the Marcos administration. (MJSC/JLDC-PIA 3)