MANILA – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday expressed optimism that with the start of the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines, the country can gradually return to its progressive track.
The PCOO chief joined President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and other members of the cabinet at the Villamor Air Base (VAB) in Pasay City yesterday to witness the arrival and turnover ceremony of 600,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine by Sinovac Biotech Ltd., which was donated by the People’s Republic of China.
This event paved the way for the Philippines to start its COVID-19 vaccination program in key hospitals in Metro Manila, including the University of the Philippines- Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, Lung Center of the Philippines, Veterans Memorial Center, East Avenue Medical Center, and the PNP General Hospital.
In his weekday show Network Briefing News, Secretary Andanar urged the public to join the government in undertaking a new step towards recovery, especially in the rollout of the vaccination program and maintaining to adhere to the health protocols.
“Sa pagdating ng mga bakuna, natatanaw na po natin ang katapusan ng pandemya at ng pagpapahirap po nito sa ating mga Pilipino (With the arrival of the vaccines, the end of the pandemic and its impacts to us Filipinos is now in sight),” he said.
“Lalong mas mahalaga na magkaisa tayo sa pagpapatupad ng mga health protocols at sana pati sa pagpapabakuna. Hindi po uubra ang pagbabakuna kung kaunti lang ang magpapaturok (It is even more important that we unite for the implementation of health protocols, and hopefully for the vaccination. This will not work if only a few of us will get vaccinated),” he added.
He stressed that herd immunity can only be attained if the majority of the Filipino public are willing to be inoculated.
He assured that the government, through the PCOO and its attached agencies, is ready to answer queries and clarify the doubts of the people.
“Hinihikayat ko po ang mga may agam-agam o hesitation na magsaliksik at magtanong sa nakakaalam upang maliwanagan [I am encouraging those who are still having hesitations to consult and ask those who have the right knowledge to be enlightened],” he said.
“Ang pagpapabakuna po ay ‘di usaping politikal. Ito po ay isang isyung pangkalusugan kaya makialam po tayo, magtanong. Ang inyong pamahalaan naman ay handang makinig at magpaliwanag [The vaccination is not a political issue. This is a health issue. That is why we should participate, and ask questions. Your government is ready to listen and to explain],” he added. ###
