Essential workers urged to register

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City government has urged all economic frontliners or those who belong to the A4 priority group to already register online.

Essential workers such as in commuter transport and logistics, as well as market vendors, workers in supermarkets, groceries, and delivery service will be next in line in the city’s COVID vaccine rollout. 

The city clarified that there is no vaccination yet under the A4 priority group and advised them to wait until they receive a notice from the CEBUCITYVAX.

They can register online at https://mics.cebucity.gov.ph/vims/page/register or at https://www.PaBakunaTa.com.

The city’s Vaccine Advisory Board (VAB) is also reminding that walk-ins are not allowed in the vaccination sites. It has been observed that the number of walk-ins have increased which results to crowding, long queues, extended waiting time, and “unnecessary stress to the frontline staff.”

City Health officer-in-charge Jeffrey Ibones reiterated that only those who received a text message from the CEBUCITYVAX will be entertained at the vaccination sites.

The vaccination is ongoing in four sites--Robinsons Galleria, SM Seaside, University of Cebu-Banilad, and UC-Alcantara St. in Barangay Sambag I.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Michael Rama said the city government may no longer purchase its own COVID-19 vaccines following the assurance from the national government that there will be enough vaccines for Metro Cebu.

In their conversation, Rama said he was told by retired general Melquiades Feliciano that the national government will prioritize Metro Cebu so it will achieve herd immunity before the year ends.

“Ako siya’ng gipangutana, ‘should I continue with the Sangguniang Panlungsod pursuing the P500 million for vaccine?’ Ingon siya 'do not anymore',” said Rama.

Rama said the P500 million budget allocated by the city for its own vaccine could be realigned and allotted for the manpower, logistics and other needs for the vaccination program.

Ibones also mentioned that the city’s goal is to achieve herd immunity by December this year.

“Mao na atong paninguhaon. Atong iawhag sa atong mga kaigsuonang Sugbuanon nga magpabakuna gyud ta. Di lang ta mopili og unsa nga vaccine kay kung magpili man gud ta, for example og di moabot ang vaccine nga inyohang gipili, di mo mabakunahan,” he explained.

He said 70 percent or 700,000 of the city’s 1 million total population will have to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. — FPL (FREEMAN)