LEGAZPI CITY – Giving importance to Labor Day, fourteen (14) selected workers from the construction, transportation, and security sectors are among the first vaccination recipients from the A4 priority group Saturday, May 1 at the Bicol Regional and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) vaccination site.
Through the joint efforts of the Department of Health Bicol Center for Health Development (DOH Bicol CHD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol, the said symbolic vaccination ceremony pays tribute to the labor sector belonging to the A4 Priority Group.
This serves as the opening salvo of the inclusion of the nation’s essential workforce in the immunization program, wherein 5,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered to minimum wage earners and overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) nationwide.
Through DOLE Bicol, those individuals were identified as workers who have the most direct contact with clients.
In a short program, Dr. Ernie V. Vera, Regional Director of DOH Bicol CHD, encouraged the public, especially the non-medical front liners to be vaccinated.
“Although ‘di sila medical front liners, kailangan pa rin nilang maging protektado dahil sila ang nagpapatakbo ng ating ekonomiya,” he stated.
During the ceremony, representatives from DOLE Bicol personally witnessed the immunization of fourteen (14) essential workers.
Assistant Regional Director Imelda E. Romanillos of DOLE Bicol expressed her support in the vaccination program.
“Asahan ninyo na kasama ang DOLE Region V, DOH Bicol at ng government as a whole sa paglaban sa COVID-19,” she said.
DOLE Bicol Regional Director Ma. Zenaida Angara-Campita said “the symbolic vaccination gives recognition to the sacrifices of Bicolano workers in moving the region forward, and their essential role in reviving the economy amidst the pandemic.”
The simultaneous nationwide activity is conducted by the national government as a way of recognizing non-medical front liners.
The full COVID-19 vaccine rollout for the A4 priority group will begin as soon as vaccines are available.
Preparing for this, a series of townhall meetings will be conducted for various labor sectors.
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