DAVAO CITY- The city government here reached out to various sectors especially in far-flung areas to address the hesitancy on anti-COVID-19 vaccination.
The city had already conducted a consultation with religious leaders and Indigenous Peoples (IP) groups on Monday (November 8) at Barangay Magsaysay Gym, Marilog District.
Based on a report from the City Information Office (CIO), Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) head Angel Sumagaysay said that among the major discussions of the consultation was the need for a proper explanation on the benefits of the anti-COVID-19 vaccines.
This information gap, according to Sumagaysay, was properly addressed by the City Health Office (CHO) Vaccination Cluster through Doctor Joy Villafuerte and the Marilog District Health Officer.
He said a vaccination drive is scheduled on November 19 in said barangay.
“We already explained to them, and we really saw that no one explained to them, they merely relied on what they heard on the radio,” Sumagaysay said.
Sumagaysay also said that church leaders in the place cannot also properly explain to their members about the vaccine, and how it affects them.
He said they tapped the church leaders to help them in the vaccination drive since these sectors also have the vital role in disseminating the programs of the government.
The consultation was attended by leaders from seven religious groups, Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR), tribal leaders, Datus, Bagani Forces, City Health Office Vaccination Cluster, Marilog District Health Officer, and Barangay Council.
Others who attended were the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) Provincial Officer, a representative from City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), Marilog Police Station, Representative of Office of Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte and representative from Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Battalion.
Another consultation is scheduled within the week in another barangay for wider information dissemination.
Mayor Sara Duterte earlier said that they are looking for individuals who are not going to the vaccination sites and who are in need of further orientation and be given a question and answer portion related to the vaccines.
Apart from this effort, the city has continually conducted public vaccination, mobile vaccination, door-to-door vaccination, and drive-thru vaccination to reach target population protection by end of the month.(BY RUTH PALO)
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