PIA 9 shares COVID-19 vaxx campaign to IPs

By Myra Cel L. Espinosa

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb 8 (PIA) – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA 9) together with Barangay Information Officers in Zamboanga City continues to conduct information drive on COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

The campaign was held during the Project Embrace that PIA 9 spearheded in partnership with Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation Inc. on Friday (Feb. 4) for the IP community in Barangay Bolong, Zamboanga City, that aims to provide immediate needs to the IPs who are one of the affected sectors in this pandemic.

Reynold Cabayacruz, the barangay information officer of Bolong reports that the barangay still did not complete the vaccination especially to the IP community due to the lack of understanding about the vaccine. 

The distribution of goods was accompanied with a short information session to encourage the community to get vaccinated. PIA 9 Assistant Regional Director Rene Carbayas emphasized the importance of vaccination supporting the government’s campaign, where “every decision that we make affects our families,” he added.

PIA as one of the information arm of the government who continues to fight fake news and misinformation, the agency calls for the support and cooperation of the public to be more cautious in sharing information especially on issues concerning COVID-19.

“Maraming nagpabakuna, ngunit marami-rami pa rin ang hindi o ayaw magpabakuna, kung ano man ang dahilan, irerespeto ito ng gobyerno,” Dir. Carbayas added.

“Many people are now vaccinated but there are still a lot of them who does not want to get vaccinated. Whatever their reason, the government respects it.”

Department of Health 9 (DOH 9) with the local government also continues to encourage the residents since the region records approximately 60% vaccination rate as of February 8, 2022.

Albia Taddih, an 82-year old IP resident from Barangay Bolong who is already fully vaccinated, encourages the senior citizens to get vaccinated, “gusto ko talagang magpakuna, ok naman ako pagkatapos ng bakuna ko,” she added.

DOH 9 said that the vaccination program in the region continues as the part 3 of the National Vaccination Days will be on February 10 to 11, where all eligible individuals are encouraged to get listed and go to the nearest vaccination sites, with the pediatric group as priority. (NBE/RVC/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City)