The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will augment the “Bayanihan Bakunahan” – the government’s national COVID-19 vaccination days from 29 November to 01 December 2021.
As per directive of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, PCG Commandant, CG Admiral Leopoldo V Laroya said Coast Guard land, floating, and aerial assets will be deployed to fast track the delivery of vaccines to 16 regions outside the National Capital Region (NCR).
“As early as now, we are coordinating with the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF), Department of Health (DOH), and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to know how we could be of help in ensuring the successful conduct of the three-day national vaccination days towards reaching 70% population protection nationwide,” the Coast Guard Commandant noted.
“We have directed our medical personnel to include doctors and 200 of our nurses to make themselves available for the said activity. Our PCG Auxiliary (PCGA) volunteers will also aid through manpower augmentation and donation of medical supplies,” CG Admiral Laroya added.
Moreover, frontline personnel deployed in PCG districts, stations, and sub-stations covering the 8,000 vaccination sites nationwide shall render necessary logistics, safety, and security assistance during the activity. They have been directed to support the DOH and concerned local government units (LGUs) in ensuring the smooth accommodation of thousands of Filipinos who are expected to participate in the said drive against COVID-19.
“We are doing this for us to have a better Christmas. Our participation in this nationwide movement to fight the threat of the contagious virus is our gift to our kababayans this Christmas season,” CG Admiral Laroya expressed.
“Hence, we enjoin unvaccinated Filipinos to support the ‘Bayanihan Bakunahan’ and take part in lowering the infection rate in our country. Sama-sama tayo sa tuluyang pagbangon ng bansa laban sa epektong iniwan ng COVID-19,” he said.