In a recent visit to Bohol, Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Sec. Vince Dizon expressed commendations to the vaccination program of the Provincial Government of Bohol.
The two Cabinet Secretaries came to Bohol bringing with them 2,520 doses of vaccines made by American company Moderna and 5,000 doses of Chinese-made Sinovac for the economic frontliners of Bohol, the Provincial Information and Media Relations (PRIMER) office reported.
In her statement, Puyat said, “Gusto naming magbigay dito sa Bohol ng maraming vaccines kasi mabilis and vaccine rollout. Yun naman ang gusto natin kasi yun ang importante. When we talk about active tourism workers, based on the supply we’ve given, more than 50 percent are already vaccinated at gusto nating umabot sa 100 percent. And I’m sure because of Gov. Yap, agad-agad mababakunahan natin ang ating mga economic frontliners.”
She added, “I am actually very happy with how fast the Boholanos are being vaccinated. And palagi naman akong masaya ‘pag naririnig ko na nauubos na ang mga bakuna; ibig sabihin mabilis ang pag-vaccinate.”
The tourism secretary also thanked Gov. Arthur Yap for giving priority to economic frontliners especially the tourism workers in the vaccination program.
She said, “Nagpapasalamat ako kay Governor Yap na pina-prioritize niya ang ating mga Tourism Frontliners sa A4 Category. Ang Bohol ay talagang hanapbuhay ay tourism. And the only way na makaka-ahon ang turismo dito sa Bohol ay kung fully-vaccinated na ang lahat ng tao dito. Pwede naman kayong tumanggap ng vaccinated tourists pero for me ang importante is fully vaccinated din ang mga tao dito para protektado din sila.”
Meanwhile, Dizon of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTFAC) lauded the leadership of Yap in responding to the pandemic.
He asserts, “Bohol, through the leadership of Governor Art Yap, has really been outstanding in its response, not only in minimizing the number of cases but because of strict protocols being enforced, Bohol is still holding strong. And I think the leadership of Gov. Art is a major reason for this.”
Moreover, Dizon added, “Leadership during this time is the most important factor in managing this because there is no perfect response to COVID-19. But if we work together and if there is strong leadership then we can, at the very least, minimize the impact. With the emphasis of Gov. Art sa vaccination program, I think this is really the way to go.”
Candidly, Dizon shared how Yap is making constant follow ups on the vaccine allocation for Bohol.
He bared, “Si Gov. Art makulit yan. Makulit yan para sa mga taga-Bohol. Because he wants the Boholanos to get vaccinated as fast as possible that’s why I think there is very little vaccine hesitancy in Bohol.”
In his closing statement, Dizon said, “Gov. Art, stay strong. I know it’s not easy, I know it’s very difficult now. But I know your leadership will steer Bohol towards victory against COVID-19 and bring back tourism and the economy. And the National Government, with the help of the President, Secretary Berna Puyat, Secretary Charlie Galvez, Secretary Francisco Duque and myself will always be here to support you and support Bohol.”
Towards the end of the programs, Puyat announced that additional 10, 000 doses of Pfizer and 5, 000 doses of Sinovac will be given to Bohol for its economic frontliners.
Aside from this, Dizon also shared that the Gamaleya Vaccines or the Sputnik V vaccines are arriving in the Philippines this week and assured Bohol will get its share.
He also said that the delay of the second dose for Sputnik V is due to the logistical problem of the supplier.
The delay of the second dose of Sputnik has been a topic of gossipers around.
However, the supply problem is not particular in Bohol, and this was bared by Dizon himself.
The Department of Health (DOH) has released an advisory to the public that those who were vaccinated with Sputnik V as their first dose, can opt to get inoculated with the vaccine made by United Kingdom-drug maker Astra Zenica for their second dose.
Furthermore, Yap, in his response, thanked Puyat and Dizon for their help in securing vaccines for Boholanos.
The governor reiterated the importance of the vaccines as Bohol moves forward and open its economy which is 78% reliant on tourism and services sector.