With the country gradually transitioning into the new normal, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) today urged local government units (LGUs) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to make sure all preparations are in place for the upcoming 4th National Vaccination Days on March 10-12.

DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said LGUs should use the best practices and improve the lessons from the last three bakunahan events for better implementation in the next three days of national vaccination.

“Pinulong na natin ang mga governors, ang mga mayors, at ang barangay captains para masiguro natin na maayos at ligtas ang darating na Bakunahan 4 para sa mga natitirang mga seniors, mga kabataang 12-17 taong gulang, mga batang 5-11 ang edad, at mga nangangailang ng booster shots,” Año said.

At the same time, Año directed the PNP to deploy more troops to increase police visibility within and around the Bakunahan 4 sites to ensure a systematic and orderly vaccination of the vaccinees, maintain order in the queues, and ensure the safety of both the vaccine team and the public.

“Kasabay ng pagbaba ng kaso ang mas maluwag na paggalaw ng mga tao at pagtaas ng mga krimen. Mas maigi na nakahanda ang ating mga kapulisan para masiguro natin ang kaligtasan ng mga nagbabakuna at nagpapabakuna,” Año said.

The DILG Secretary said that while the first week of implementing Alert Level 1 in the National Capital Region was promising, there is still a need to increase the country’s vaccination coverage to ensure that the majority of the population is protected from severe COVID-19 infections.

“We don’t want to go back to square one so while we are opening up our economy again, let us continue our vaccination efforts para hindi na talaga tayo malusutan ng COVID,” he said.

“With the steady decline in COVID-19 case turn-out and limited granular lockdowns, LGUs should now use the increase in mobility to prepare for the upcoming vaccination days,” he added.

Año said that granular lockdowns implemented throughout the country are now limited to nine cities/municipalities, 24 barangays; 37 granular lockdown areas; 37 households; and 47 individuals.

According to the National Task Force vs. COVID-19, Bakunahan 4 will mainly target senior citizens, particularly in areas where vaccine coverage is still low. In addition, the government would boost the vaccination for 12 to 17 years old and those who have yet to receive their primary vaccine series.

Vaccination sites will include hospitals, malls, churches, plazas, and other areas to be identified by LGUs.

The first National Vaccination Days (NVDs), also known as Bayanihan Bakunahan, were held from November 29 to December 1, 2021, with 9.9 million people vaccinated. The NVD’s second phase, which included 7.4 million doses, ran from December 15 to December 23, 2021, and its third phase, which included 3 million doses, ran from February 10 to 18, 2022.

Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-to-LGUs-PNP-Gear-up-for-4th-National-Vaccination-Days-on-March-10-12/NC-2022-1026