By Ernie Esconde/ Philippine News Agency
BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Bishop Ruperto Santos of the Diocese of Balanga said Sunday (Sept. 19) that 48 parishioners were vaccinated during the start of the “Bakuna Bubble sa Parokya” program of the Catholic parish of Mariveles in this province.
The parishioners were inoculated Saturday (Sept. 18) with vaccines against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) after the 4 p.m. Mass at the Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Church in Poblacion, Mariveles.
Vaccinations are available in the church every Saturday.
Another church in Mariveles, the Santa Gemma Galgani Parish in barangay Mountain View, will start its vaccination after the 7 a.m. Mass on Sept. 26 that will continue every Sunday thereafter.
The parish project “Magsimba, Magpabakuna, maging Ligtas at Magligtas” is in coordination with the local government unit (LGU) of Mariveles headed by Mayor Jocelyn Castaneda.
Those intending to go to church and be inoculated have to personally proceed to the parish offices or apply online.
Santos said they have also suggested to 2nd district Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III to conduct the project in the parishes of Orani with three churches, and Morong with two churches.
“We are waiting for the decision of the LGUs. The Orani and Morong parishes are ready for ‘Bakuna Bubble sa Parokya’,” he said.
Santos added the Diocese of Balanga has also permitted the use of two diocesan schools as vaccination centers.
The Saint Peter of Verona Academy in Hermosa and Colegio Santa Caterina of Alexandria in Bagac are among the 28 vaccination sites established in Bataan.
This is in line with the goal of Gov. Albert Garcia to achieve population protection in the province before the year ends. (PNA) – bny