We laud the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) for heeding the call of the PCOO and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) to include frontline media workers, both private and government, in the A4 priority group of the vaccine inoculation as indicated in the IATF-EID’s Resolution No. 110 under A4.9.

The media should truly be included in the A4 priority group, along with other individuals who play a significant part in our seamless and uninterrupted societal activities. We have seen firsthand the importance of their work in delivering news and information to every household, especially when the pandemic started to unfold and interrupted traditional work arrangements.

We must recognize that frontline media workers are among the essential workers who have worked tirelessly and have risked their lives to fulfill their duties.

Their indispensable and invaluable contributions have provided us with important and life-saving information on all matters relative to the contagion and the responses of the Duterte administration.

Hence, all frontline media workers are integral to the success of our fight as a nation against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Their inclusion as a priority in the ongoing vaccination program are among the reflections of the Duterte administration’s commitment to upholding and protecting the rights and welfare of media workers, especially during this pandemic as they are exposed to health risks and hazards as they carry out their work for the benefit of the public.

As we wait for our turn to receive the vaccine, through the ongoing vaccine inoculation, let us continue to observe all health protocols to ensure that we contribute to the collective fight against the virus, and play our part in the healing and recovery of our nation.

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