The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will issue a memorandum circular simplifying the process of vaccine registration to expedite the country’s inoculation program.
During President Rodrigo Duterte’s May 26 public address, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said vaccine hesitancy is still high in populations with socioeconomic status under Classes D and E.
“Iyong A, B, and C group po ng population ay mataas po ang uptake, pero doon sa mga barangay at sa mga kaloob-looban ng mga congested area, doon po tayo nahihirapan,” Galvez said.
“Ang ginagawa po natin…nagkakaroon tayo ng tinatawag nating town hall meeting sa DOH [Department of Health] at tumutulong po ang private sector para mapataas po ‘yong uptake ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
Some residents living under a bridge in Congressional Avenue said they are not reluctant to get the vaccine, but they have no means of getting information, such as a television.
“Kung ano ‘yung nararamdaman sa katawan natin bago tayo bakunahan dapat macheck-up, eh wala naman kaming pampa-checkup,” one of the residents said.
“Ituon na lang po namin sa paghahanap ng malalamon… Pwede kung sila ang pupunta rito,” another resident said.
Through the DILG’s new memorandum circular, registration forms will be simplified and will use traditional and digital means, including social media.
“Mahirap ‘yong marami pang masyadong itinatanong at natatakot ‘yong ating mga mamamayan sa pagrerehistro,” DILG chief Eduardo Año said.
House-to-house registration will also be conducted to assist the indigent population whose houses are not equipped with internet connection. Free transportation will also be provided to scheduled recipients.
“Tuloy-tuloy na information campaign, aggressive information campaign para ma-engganyo ang ating mga kababayan na magpabakuna. Bukod sa mga online meetings, social media, pati traditional methods ay dapat gamitin katulad ng pagbabandilyo sa mga sulok-sulok ng ating mga barangay,” Año said.
“Gusto natin na ang mga LGUs ay magkaroon ng partnership sa mga private hospitals, private sectors, NGOs, mga religious organizations, at mga homeowners, at village association para mas maraming vaccination site ang maitalaga natin,” he added.
Vaccines are safe
President Duterte reiterated on Wednesday night that the public should avoid choosing certain vaccine brands over the others, noting that all approved vaccines are safe and effective.
He also warned local government units allegedly seeking a certain vaccine brand.
“Kung kayo lang ang may gusto tapos iyong iba hindi mapagbigyan, paano ‘yong ibang Pilipino? When you begin to be selective, the others will also begin to be agitated about the potency na pareho naman sana sa iba,” he said.
As of May 26, 90% of all healthcare workers in the country have been vaccinated. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla/AG-jlo
Watch full report from Cleizl Pardilla:
