800 PRO-7 cops get first dose of COVID-19 jab

CEBU, Philippines —  At least 800 among the 12,000 police personnel under the Police Regional Office 7 have already been vaccinated according to the Regional Health Service Unit.

Police Lt. Colonel Marilou Aboloc, RHSU-7 chief, said that 400 of them have already been vaccinated with the first dose.

Aboloc revealed that the national headquarters has already submitted all the data of the PRO-7 personnel to be able to account for all the personnel who will be vaccinated.

She further said that those who were vaccinated were the police personnel who belong in the Priority Group A1 to A3.

They also require those who underwent vaccination to submit their certificates for them to monitor the adverse effects.

The 50 police stations under the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) were also encouraged to coordinate with their respective local government unit (LGU) for the vaccination as the police personnel fall under the category of Priority Group A4.

This is the directive of CPPO director, Police Colonel Engelbert Soriano. He, however, added that this is not mandatory and it's up to the chief of police of the stations should they avail the said vaccine.

"Ni-remind ko na din sila na if they had the chance to take the vaccine from their respective LGUs, go na sila kasi may directive na rin din naman kami," said Soriano.

"As long as may update from their PNP CODA right away," he added.

Soriano also said that his mindset is to just coordinate with their respective LGU since there is no vaccination plan laid down yet in their PNP health service.

"So whatever comes first, kung LGU or sa amin, basta the earliest possible opportunity, magpa ano (vaccine) na sila," said Soriano.

In the CPPO headquarters, Soriano said they have already coordinated with the office of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for their vaccination.

He added also that since most of their personnel were residents from the Cebu Province, they were also asked to just register in their respective towns unless the vaccines from the provincial government solely for the CPPO police will be provided.

The CPPO has at least 2,320 police personnel including the municipal and city police stations that fall under.

Currently, Soriano is yet to determine on whoever comes first in their vaccination. He, however, added that all police personnel were willing to be vaccinated.

"Very generous naman ang LGU, kasi lahat ng nakausap ko na mayors, kasama talaga nila sa priority nila yung local police nila, good news yun sa amin," said Soriano. — GMR (FREEMAN)