PRRD leads Bayanihan Bakunahan kickoff at SM City Masinag
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (Malacañan Palace file photo)
By Kier Gideon Paolo Gapayao
ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal (PIA)– President Rodrigo Roa Duterte spearheads the launch of the National Vaccination Days themed Bayanihan Bakunahan at SM City Masinag, Antipolo City.
The vaccination drive aims to inoculate 9 million Filipinos in over 8,000 sites nationwide during its first run and aims to conduct another set of three-day inoculation drive to be held on December 15-17 to complete the vaccination of 54 million Filipinos.
President Duterte inspected the vaccination site in SM City Masinag and witnessed the ceremonial jab for the A1, A2, A3 and pediatric vaccinees administered by Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Former Antipolo City Mayor Casimiro “Jun” Ynares III, DOH 4A Regional Director Ariel Valencia, Rizal Provincial Health Officer Illuminado Victoria and Antipolo City Health Officer Concepcion Lat.
The President thanked national government agencies and local government units for supporting the vaccination drive which will run from November 29 to December 1, 2021 in a bid to encourage all Filipinos to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
President Duterte describes Bayanihan Bakunahan as the single biggest push to fast track the vaccination of the targeted 70 percent of the population nationwide.
“By the end of 2021 we expect to fully vaccinate a total of 54 million Filipinos,” said President Duterte.
“We also aim to inoculate 80 percent of the population aged 12-17 years and complete the booster shots for those belonging to A1, A2 and A3 sectors,” said President Duterte.
President Duterte also calls for every Filipino to help combat COVID-19 by getting vaccinated and following minimum health standards.
National and local officials and stakeholders led by COVID-19 Task Force Chief Implementor Carlito Galvez, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Rizal Governor Rebecca “Nini” Ynares, Antipolo City Mayor Andrea Ynares, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan and Rizal municipal mayors accompany the president at the ceremonial launch.
Secretary Galvez also stated earlier in the program that the national government is confident that the country’s vaccination efforts will immediately lead to better results.
“We are very optimistic that we will have a better and safer Christmas this year. Our vaccination drive has kicked into a higher gear as we are now on our way towards vaccination 54 million Filipinos by the end of this year,” said Sec. Galvez.
Secretary Galvez says that with the government’s growing vaccine supply of 142 million doses with 46 million more coming, local government units especially those outside Metro Manila are vital in order to effectively administer all doses. (GG/PIA-Rizal)
