Ahong wants non-medical essential workers as 2nd priority for vaccines

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Philippines — The Lapu-Lapu City Government will request the Department of Health (DOH) central office to include non-medical essential workers as a second priority to receive the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan said that non-medical essential workers shall include tricycle and public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, public market vendors, and those who are working in the field.

Chan explained that he wants to prioritize them since they are more exposed to the virus compared to senior citizens, who are identified as a second priority along with indigent families in the COVID-19 vaccination.

“We will insist nga atong isunod atoang mga frontliners nga dili mga health workers like the tricycle driver, PUV drivers, vendors, mao nay hatagan nato ug second priority,” Chan said.

Due to this, Chan said that he will send a letter directly to Health Secretary Francisco Duque regarding this.

During the meeting of the COVID-19 Vaccination Advisory Council on Wednesday morning, February 17, 2021, which was attended by Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, spokesperson of DOH-7, she said that the mayor would need to coordinate with the DOH central office on his plan.

She said that this is because the agency has already identified those who will be prioritized in the COVID-19 vaccination program.

“Ang sa national government vaccination deployment plan, naka-identify ang priorities nato. So ang pinaka-una ang mga medical health workers nato, mao gyud na siya. Ikaduha sa atong listing will be the senior citizens or those 60 years old and above, at saka yung with comorbidities,” Loreche said.

“Ang atong mga frontliners for the economics, ibig sabihin mga vendors, mga drivers, naa pana sila sa dulo, wala na sila sa nag-una,” she added./rcg