The Philippines is being hailed globally for successfully accelerating vaccine deployment among residents despite hurdles in supply and vaccine hesitancy, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said Monday night, citing a report from G20.
“Maganda ring balita na iyong G20, ito po ‘yung big economies ng 20 countries, they acknowledged po that the Philippines is an example country in the acceleration of the vaccine deployment,” Galvez said in his report to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during a meeting on government’s COVID-19 measures.
“Na-cite po dito na despite the challenges that we had na napakababa po ng ating supply during the early stages, but we were able to accelerate itong vaccination po natin.”
Galvez, who is also the National Task Force (NTF) COVID-19 chief implementer, said the international recognition brings great pride to the nation especially because the report was based on an evaluation by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
The report further praised the Philippines as a model country not only in reducing vaccine hesitancy, but also for effectively increasing the demand for COVID-19 vaccine, he said.
Foreign nations also lauded the Duterte administration’s risk communication and community engagement strategies.
The vaccine czar then expressed his gratitude to the local government units (LGUs), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and media groups, as well as the private sector for collectively working with each other to achieve the desired goal of inoculating Filipinos against the deadly coronavirus disease.
Galvez also encouraged the unvaccinated to get COVID-19 jab, noting that getting vaccinated is a conscious act of protecting not only one’s self but also one’s family and the entire country.
“Huwag po natin sayangin ang ating magandang nangyayari po ngayon dahil kasi ang ano po natin is mapanatili na po natin na mababa ang ating mga cases at saka ang ating death level, at tuloy-tuloy po na magkaroon po tayo ng magandang ayuda sa ating ekonomiya,” he said.
“Marami na po tayong nakuha na bakuna at talaga pong nagpakahirap po tayo doon at marami pong nag-donate na mababait na mga countries, huwag po natin sayangin ang ating mga pinaghirapan,” he added. PND
