By NG Seruela
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Monday (Aug. 2) individuals going outside for COVID-19 vaccination amid the implemented enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) starting on Aug. 6 are considered as authorized persons outside of residence (APORs).
In today’s Laging Handa public briefing, DILG Spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said it is the instruction of DILG Sec. Eduardo Año to the Joint Task Force COVID Shield.
“Ang naging instruction po ni Secretary Eduardo Año sa Joint Task Force COVID Shield ay iyon nga pong mga individuals for vaccination are considered Authorized Persons Outside of Residence,” he said.
Usec. Malaya added that the individuals scheduled for vaccination must show proof that they are set to be vaccinated in their respective local government units (LGUs) on the same day they are outside of their homes.
“So kailangan po magpakita ng schedule ang ating mga kababayan or kaya naman iyong text message galing sa vaccination center ng kanilang LGU, or kaya naman anong klaseng katunayan or papel na sila ay for vaccination at mayroon silang confirmed schedule sa araw na iyan. “
He assured that once they show proof, they will be allowed to pass in the checkpoints.
Meanwhile, Malaya said that house-to-house vaccination is “ideal.” However, it is difficult to implement due to the number of people involved in the process and the current weather in the country. He stressed that the house-to-house vaccination system is “too slow” and will “place the safety and security of our vaccinators at risk.”
“Iyan po sana iyong ideal pero napakahirap pong gawin iyan. Isipin ninyo po kung ilang tao ang papagalawin natin for that vaccination. Siguro po nakikita naman natin iyong dami ng mga personnel involved in the vaccination program – from the registration, to the screening, to the vaccination proper, to the adverse effects period, and then doon sa final registration and issuance of the vaccination card; ang dami pong tao niyan,” he said.
“So kung magha-house to house po tayo, we will have to move all of those people, bahay-bahay. At sa panahon po ng habagat, that would be very difficult ‘no for us to implement. Sa panahon po ng ulan, magkakasakit naman po iyong ating mga vaccinators kung gagawin natin iyong house to house,” he added. – rir
