https://www.sunstar.com.ph/ |
- How Davao faces its garbage concern
- Davao bus trips dip further
- Mayor reminds Dabawenyos: Covid-19 threat is still real
- Davao del Norte Covid-19 surge overwhelms health facilities
- Digos mayor declares yearlong period of mourning for Gov. Dodo Cagas
- Davao coffee beginning to rise in coffee scene (Part 1)
- Vaderrama: Getting vaccinated
| How Davao faces its garbage concern Posted: 13 Jun 2021 06:13 AM PDT EVEN before the pandemic, the city government of Davao and the different environmentalist groups were already anticipating the exhaustion sooner or later of the 11.75-hectare landfill the city currently uses in Carmen, Tugbok District. The city's solution to this waste problem has already been highlighted and made public for several years now. In 2017, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio even visited a Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plant in Kitakyushu, Japan to observe their use of the technology. The project, with an initial grant amount of P2.5 billion through official development assistance (ODA), is in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica). However, in a February 2020 interview, project manager and City Administrator for Administration lawyer Dwight Domingo said additional funding for the facility is still being sought. "Apparently, right now, the Department of Energy already told us na wala na to (that it was scrapped). Dili na available ang fix na price sa pagbaligya og kuryente (The fixed price for the electricity is no longer available) and because of that the financial projection of study was changed," Domingo said, who added that the project requires participation of utility companies such as Davao Light Power Corporation (DLPC). The WTE project was initially proposed to be constructed in a 10-hectare property in Biao Escuela, Tugbok District. However, environmentalist groups in the city continue to advocate against WTE because of its impact on the environment and health of the residents. According to them, the process of incineration produces toxic chemicals also known as dioxins, which are cancer-causing and are extremely dangerous. They said a drop of dioxin in a lake "can "cause harm to the fish living there." This was first said by Jorge Emmanuel, former United Nations (UN) Chief–technical advisor on environmental concerns in 2016 when the news of proposed WTE in Davao made noise again. Emmanuel added the Philippines is not financially ready for the adverse effects of WTE on the health of the people. In the same way, former executive director of Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis) Chinkie Golle said WTE highlights the amount of waste the city produces. "Kay ang imong ginatubag lang kay ang end lang sa surface problem, which is daghang basura. Pero on our part, among gina-oppose is didto sa ngano daghan og basura? Tungod wala nila gipatuman ang Ecological Solid Waste Management hilabi na sa mga households, barangays, and to establishments," she said in a previous interview. The Carmen landfill is getting filled to the brim and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) projects it will be fully exhausted by 2023. Since March 2020, when the city started experiencing the pandemic, waste produced by the city ballooned to 600 to 650 tons per day. Cenro plans to purchase another 10-hectare property adjacent to the existing landfill for expansion. Despite WTE, Cenro head Marivic Reyes said there is still a need to rehabilitate the sanitary landfill, as the ashes from the incineration will be buried in the landfill. On average, a landfill's life span usually lasts five to eight years. The Carmen landfill was first opened in 2008 and its extended life was said to be partially because of households observing proper waste segregation. Making use of biodegradable waste to its full potential Many private individuals also believe that before getting into a huge commitment such as the WTE project, it is also crucial that Dabawenyos understand how to properly dispose of their garbage. The Davao Thermo Biotech Corp. is an environmental solutions company currently engaged in biodegradable waste management and natural biofertilizer production. It started The Yellow Drum Project with companies but later on engaged with household owners. The Yellow Drum Project provides a 10-liter yellow drum to their subscribers where different types of biodegradable waste are collected and will eventually be converted into biofertilizer in their facility in Toril. "We collect the hazardous and non-hazardous biodegradable and we compost it using high-temperature composting technology and convert it into usable potent biofertilizer," explained Dr. Bo Puentespina, Jr., Davao Thermo Biotech Corp. chief executive officer. "We have to change climate change realities. We have to change our attitude with respect to how we dispose of our biodegradables. In our law, it says that biodegradables must have to be composted at source – meaning in our homes, then in our barangays. It's not supposed to go to the landfills," Dr. Puentespina added. The process used by Davao Thermo Biotech Corp. is Japanese-patented and is the only company in the country permitted to do it outside Japan. "We use hyperthermophilic aerobic composting. Hyperthermophilic means 'high temperature' while aerobic requires oxygen. We use special bacteria that help with the decomposing of the waste. We have 'blowers' to supply the air requirement for decomposing. Within 45 days, the fermentation process takes place while we also turn the mound of treated waste every now and then to let the air through and for more balanced decomposing," said Plant Manager Aimea B. Lumpay. The Yellow Drum Project currently has more or less 40 household subscribers in different parts of Davao City while it also continues to work with restaurants, companies, and other private institutions. Puentespina shared that these companies follow environmental standards to continue operation and so The Yellow Drum Project partnership was fondly responded to by private sectors. "We want more people to be aware that this project exists – that there is a solution for their biodegradable waste. They don't need to mix it with their non-bio waste and throw it in the trash. They can actually make something good out of their biowaste. We understand that not all people have the capacity or resources to do composting at home so this project is actually ideal for those people," said Lyen Queen Yap-Joaquin, business development officer. Repurposing non-biodegradable waste Winder Recycling Company in Sasa, Davao City has been focusing on converting single-use plastic to useful items that would last for a long time such as tables, benches, school chairs, pots, and many others. Engineer Winchester Lemen shared that their equipment can accommodate other types of plastic or non-biodegradable waste, but they decided to specifically focus on single-use plastic, those that are not accepted in junk shops as these types of waste are rarely recycled and some, unfortunately, end up in the sea. "Karaniwan po sa single-use plastic tinatapon na lang natin kasi alam natin wala na itong pakinabang gaya ng plastic bottles ng softdrinks, mga sachets ng shampoo, packaging ng chichirya, pwede po yang dalhin dito sa planta natin," said Engr. Lemen. The collected garbage goes through a meticulous process in their plant in Sasa before it becomes a durable repurposed item. The single-use plastic items are broken and cut into tiny pieces before they are washed and dried. Then they proceed to the melting machine, keeping the 14-percent moisture content, where the plastics are molded into molders depending on the planned by-product. They have molders for chairs, tables, benches, plant pots, etc. Aside from these small items, Lemen also looks forward to bigger repurposing projects such as bricks to make houses. He said they have worked hard to ensure the durability of their products. "Ito po ay masusi nating pinag-aralan dahil sabi nga nila, kailangan po natin ng alternative solution. Hindi lang po basta semento. Meron po tayong dapat gawin doon sa mga plastic waste natin. Kaya naisip po naming tibayan talaga yung mga produkto para po mapakinabangan ng mas matagal nung ating mga consumers," said Lemen. Winder Recycling Corporation and the Davao Thermo Biotech Corp. continue to seek partnership with the local government to influence more people in segregating their waste. They understand that with the mandate of the government, especially at the barangay level, it would be easier for residents to participate. As the local government has yet to respond, the two companies continue to form professional relationships with huge companies to help with their waste problems.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 13 Jun 2021 06:08 AM PDT BUS trips at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (Dcott) further decreased when the city was placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ). Dcott head Aisa Usop said when there was a downtrend in Covid-19 cases, bus trips started to gradually normalize, with an average of 600 bus trips daily. The number of trips is nearing the pre-pandemic figure of 700 to 800 trips per day, reaching more than 1,500 bus trips daily during "peak" or holiday seasons. Usop, in a previous interview, said bus trips coming in and out of the city decreased since the tightening of border controls started. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio issued on Saturday, May 8, 2021, an executive order adopting the Joint Regional Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases-Regional Task Force Against Covid-19 (RIATF-RTF) 11 Resolution 01 series of 2021 or the tightening of border controls. It took effect in Davao City on Friday, May 14. Following its implementation, bus trips decreased to 300 to 400 per day. "Nung nag-declare naman tayo ng MECQ, lalong bumaba. (When it was declared that the city would be under MECQ, the number of bus trips further decreased.) From 300 to 400 [bus trips], our recent number of trips is nasa (now at) 180 plus lang tayo to 200 plus ang pinakamataas na bus trips a day natin," Usop said in a virtual presser on Friday, June 11. Davao City's MECQ status took effect on June 5 and will end on June 20. This is due to the current surge in Covid-19 cases in the city. Usop said they are currently discouraging non-essential travels with the ongoing surge of cases being experienced in the city. "We are catering to passengers not only from Davao City, but also the entire Mindanao, including Visayas and Mindanao. But sad to say, kung pwede lang, kung hindi importante, huwag na lang tayong mag-travel (if it is not important, we discourage you from traveling) for your safety," the Dcott official said. She also discouraged bus drivers from picking up passengers along the way. She added that buses can pick up passengers from terminal to terminal only, in accordance with the IATF and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) guidelines. Despite the existing policy, Usop said they continue to receive reports of drivers violating it. "Naghimo ta og move. (We already made a move) We coordinate with LTFRB. Nag-request gyud ta sa ilaha na mag-conduct sila og surprise monitoring diha sa highway, aron makita pud nila unsa ka-tinuod kaning pag-pick up sa mga bus nato sa kadalanan (We requested them to conduct surprise monitoring along highways for them to validate these reports of drivers picking up passengers along highways)," she said.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Mayor reminds Dabawenyos: Covid-19 threat is still real Posted: 13 Jun 2021 06:08 AM PDT DESPITE the ongoing Covid-19 vaccination, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio reminded Dabawenyos not to let their guards down as the Covid-19 "threat is real." "While we now already have vaccines and the inoculation of our population is ongoing, we nonetheless must not let our guard down because the threat is real, the numbers are rising, and the consequences otherwise will be dire," Duterte-Carpio said her 123rd Independence Day speech on Saturday, June 12. The mayor reminded the public "to work as one" and continuously abide by the minimum health protocols. "I ask all Dabawenyos to work as one and to abide by the health protocols in place because it is only when we each do our part that we can emerge victorious from this and commence the healing and recovery of our communities," she said. Duterte-Carpio said more than a century since the country declared its independence, Davao City is currently joining the rest of the world "in facing a common enemy," that is Covid-19. She also expressed her salute to the "modern-day heroes - our frontliners who continue to place their lives on the line in order for Filipinos to be free of this disease." "I hope that the essence of our fight for independence – to be steadfast, constant, and strong despite the battles and challenges that come our way – may remain with us as we endeavor towards the future," the mayor said. "In the same way that our heroes fought for the country's liberation more than a hundred years ago, let us also find the courage and the resolve to liberate ourselves from the clutches of this deadly virus and become a stronger and more resilient Davao City," the mayor further said. For this year, the Davao City government did not hold any rites for the annual commemoration and instead, played the national anthem due to the recent issuance of Executive Order (EO) No. 31, prohibiting face-to-face non-essential government events due to the rising cases of Covid-19 in the city. The EO specified the prohibited ceremonies and events such as inauguration, anniversary, thanksgiving, ribbon-cutting, blessing, turnover ceremony, groundbreaking, launching, salu-salo (gatherings), birthdays, press conference, oathtaking, photo opportunities, retirement honor, welcome honors, testimonial programs, summer outing, team building, and all other similar activities. Davao City, since June 5, is under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in response to the ongoing surge, resulting in the overwhelming occupancy of the city's Covid-19 referral hospital, and treatment facilities. According to the Department of Health-Davao Region data as of June 12, Davao City's Covid-19 active cases reached a record-breaking 3,109 cases. Since the pandemic started, the city has a total of 19,526 cases, wherein 15,618 recovered, and 799 succumbed to the virus. At present, the city government is vaccinating the first three priority groups - A1 (medical frontliners), A2 (senior citizens), and A3 (persons with comorbidities). Those included under the A4 group, which includes frontline personnel in essential sectors including those in the government, private sector, and uniformed personnel, have yet to be scheduled for the next vaccine rollout.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Davao del Norte Covid-19 surge overwhelms health facilities Posted: 13 Jun 2021 06:08 AM PDT DAVAO del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib said the current Covid-19 case surge in the province overwhelmed their critical care and treatment facilities. "Tungod sa padayon nga pagtaas sa kaso sa Covid-19, daghan sa atong mga kaigsuunan ang nag-antos sa kumplikasyon sa Covid[-19], ug gani, daghan kanila ang anaa sa ilang mga panimalay sa karon, nagpaabot nga dawaton sa atong mga hospital kay puno na gyud ang mga balay tambalanan, public man o private," Juhabib said in a video message posted on Sunday, June 13. (Due to the continuous increase in Covid-19 cases, many of our constituents are currently suffering from the virus' complications. Many of them are in their residences, waiting to be transported to the hospital since all beds, both in public and private, are fully occupied.) The governor also said the province is now short in medical equipment and isolation facilities. Those with exposure to confirmed coronavirus-positive individuals are advised to undergo home quarantine while waiting for vacancies of hospital beds and facilities. The entire province of Davao del Norte will be under general community quarantine (GCQ) effective Thursday, June 10 until June 30, 2021. Through Davao del Norte's Facebook page One DavNor Network, the provincial government released Executive Order No. 26 Thursday, June 10, reverting the province to GCQ from modified GCQ (MGCQ). Juhabib said elevating the entire province to a stricter quarantine status aims to mitigate the worsening Covid-19 scenario by strengthening preventive measures appropriate to the present transmission in the area. Under GCQ, non-essential and leisure travel to the province will be prohibited. Residents' movement will also be limited to accessing essential goods only such as procuring food and medicine, going to work, and emergency purposes. Any form of gathering is prohibited under the EO unless with permission from the City/Municipal Inter-Agency Task Force through the barangay captain. Once permitted, the venue should only accommodate 30 percent of its original capacity while following minimum health protocols. This includes religious gatherings. Other religious services such as weddings, baptisms, blessings, etc. will not be allowed under GCQ. Gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals will be limited to only 30 percent of the venue's capacity. Wakes will be given a maximum of five days and guests are limited to immediate family members only. Gathering in one house of people from different households or leisure and non-essential purposes is also prohibited. Jubahib also encouraged his constituents to get a Covid-19 vaccine once it is their turn. According to the Department of Health-Davao Region data as of June 12, Davao del Norte ranked second in the entire region with the most total and active cases. The province had a total of 6,744 confirmed cases, wherein 1,419 were active cases, 4,635 recovered, and 190 succumbed to the virus. Meanwhile, as of June 11, Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC), the primary Covid-19 referral hospital in the province located in Tagum City, announced 61 out of the 75 ICU beds for Covid-19 patients are occupied, while 75 out of the 187 isolation beds are already occupied. For other facilities in the province, three out of the 44 ward beds are already occupied, while one of the 11 prepared ICU beds has been occupied, and 90 out of the 128 isolation beds are now utilized.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Digos mayor declares yearlong period of mourning for Gov. Dodo Cagas Posted: 13 Jun 2021 06:07 AM PDT DIGOS City Mayor Josef Cagas declared a yearlong period of mourning over the death of his uncle, Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Ralota Cagas. The mayor declared the period of mourning from June 10, 2021 to June 10, 2022, through an executive order (EO). According to Mayor Cagas, the late governor "spent most of his life in public service and had endowed fruitful years in uplifting the lives of his fellowmen" in Davao del Sur, and Digos City. "His strong political will and untiring commitment to bring sustainable development not only for Davao del Sur but also to Digos City, have touched the lives of many and transformed our Province and City into flourishing localities in the country," the mayor said in the EO. He added the cityhood of Digos materialized because of Governor Cagas, who led the drafting of Republic Act No. 8798, converting the Municipality of Digos into a component city of the province in November 1998. During the whole year of mourning, all government agencies, units and installations, private/business establishments, and private and public schools of all levels will put all flags at half-mast and offer prayers every 3 p.m. "We mourn the tragic demise of the most charismatic, and the best public servant and leader in the Province of Davao del Sur. The saddest moment in the lives of the People of Davao del Sur and all Digoseños especially to those who have experienced his brand and superb quality of public service, those people whose lives are somehow getting better by the services and projects, our good governor rendered," Mayor Cagas added. Governor Cagas passed away on Thursday morning, June 10, 2021, due to complications of Covid-19, his family confirmed. The governor's only son, Vice Governor Marc Douglas, took over his father's post while Senior Board Member of Davao del Sur's First District and Mayor Cagas' brother, John Tracy, will be the new Vice Governor.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Davao coffee beginning to rise in coffee scene (Part 1) Posted: 13 Jun 2021 04:15 AM PDT DAVAO Region is known to be a major food basket in the country due to the variety of crops and fruits it produces. It is popular for the durian and pomelo. It is also known as the country's top producer of cavendish bananas. Recently, Davao Region has also been declared as the Capital of the Philippines. In recent years, we are also seeing another crop industry that would soon be associated with Davao too -- coffee. According to the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA), Davao Region produces 17.8 percent of the 60,000 metric tons (MT) of coffee produced nationwide in 2019. Davao Region is the second-largest producer of coffee in the Philippines, tied with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (Barmm). The biggest coffee producer in the country is Soccsksargen at 34.2. Davao Region also has the second-largest number of fruit-bearing coffee trees at 13,608,316 as of 2015. John Paul Matuguinas, Department of Agriculture-Davao (DA-Davao) regional focal person for the High Value Crop Development Program (HVCDP), said Davao Region is a suitable place to plant coffee trees. "Fertility sa soil, sa weather, as well as sa climate nato is very ideal for industrial plants such as coffee (Davao Region is suitable for industrial plants like coffee because of its fertile soil, weather, and climate)," Matuguinas said. He said the arabica, robusta, liberica, and excelsa varieties can be planted in Davao Region. Arabica, which should be planted at an elevation of more than 1,000 meters above sea level (MASL), can thrive in some of the region's highlands. Robusta, liberica, and excelsa, which can be grown at below 800 MASL, can be planted in most parts of the region. Coffee For Peace (CFP) Founder and Chief Executive Officer Joji Pantoja said Davao Region's edge is in its arabica and robusta coffee beans, which are widely planted by most coffee farmers in Davao Region. These two varieties that are also beginning to shine in the domestic and international coffee market. Arabica According to the Bureau of Plant Industry of DA, Arabica is regarded for its flavor and aroma. Mugshots founder and local coffee roaster Beauford Ma said "arabica beans possess a satisfying amount of acidity and tend to have a multi-layered intricacy of flavors and aromas." ACDI/VOCA Business Development Coordinator Emmanuel Quisol, in an online interview with SunStar Davao, said the region's arabica coffee beans have the potential to make a mark in both the international and local markets. "One of the strengths of the Arabica coffee beans produced from Davao Region is their consistency in terms of quality. This is illustrated in their performance in the past and most recent results of the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC). Entries from Davao Region have consistently landed in the top list," Quisol said. This is evident with the recent success of Davao coffee farmers in the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC) on May 26, 2021. Five farmers from the Balutakay Coffee Farmers Association (Bacofa) in Bansalan, Davao del Sur were among the top six in the Arabica category of the PCQC 2021. In the first place is Marites Arellano whose coffee beans scored an average of 85.86. She is followed by Lendilou Loon (85.07), Jastine Mae Dubria (84.71), and Marifel dela Cerna (84.64). Maria Luz Dubria placed sixth with 83.07. Shaun Ong, Head Judge of PCQC 2021, praised the arabica beans from Davao Region, saying that they are among the best he has tasted from the country. "This year's winning specialty Arabica coffee of Marites Arellano has an average score of 85.86, which is super close to the preferred international score of 86 for this category. We are getting there, and I won't be surprised that in the next year or two, we will be seeing coffee entries achieving higher scores," Quisol said. This is not the first time our local farmers placed high in the annual PCQC, which is now in its fourth year. In 2018, Juanita Amaba placed second in the Arabica category after she scored an average of 86.03. Her natural processed beans had notes of caramel, guava, banana, rose, and sweet spice. In 2019, Marivic Dubria placed first after scoring an 85.36 for her natural processed coffee beans. Her beans had notes of hibiscus, pineapple, lemon, green apple, thyme, basil, and spice. Marivic's beans were cupped and featured at the Specialty Coffee Expo in Boston, Massachusetts in the United States in 2019. "Davao Region is now positioning itself as premier source of high-quality specialty Arabica coffee after its series of wins in the PCQC. Undeniably, some of the best-tasting Arabica coffee in the country comes from this region," Quisol said. He added that local farmers can take advantage of this emerging status and may expand their production to other areas with higher elevations. At present, you can find arabica plantations in several areas at the foothills of Mount Apo. "Aside from the areas in Davao del Sur that are surrounding Mt. Apo, there are other locations within the region that can be developed into sustainable and environmentally friendly coffee farms such as those in Talaingod in Davao del Norte, some areas in Davao Oriental and in Davao Occidental as well," Quisol said. Robusta When it comes to robusta coffee, despite being widely planted by most coffee farmers in Mindanao, Quisol said Davao Region coffee farmers have yet to tap the opportunities that come with it. Since robusta coffee thrives in lower elevation at below 800 MASL, many of the areas tend to be more dedicated to other crops. "Opportunities for Robusta coffee in Davao Region has yet to be fully materialized. I think this will require some convincing among farmers who are used to producing other equally important crops such as coconut, cacao, bananas, mangoes, and rice," Quisol said. After working with coffee farmers in Mindanao and other parts of the country, Pantoja said they are pushing for the robusta. "I am entering robusta kasi (because) that is where we have so many farmers. So, gusto kong gawin talagang popular yung robusta para matulungan pa yung mas maraming farmers (I want to also popularize the robusta because we can help more farmers)," Pantoja said. However, what they are promoting right now in CFP is not simply the pure robusta but the fine robusta. Ma said when brewed, pure robusta has low to no acidity and usually tastes earthier, woodier, more rubbery, and more bitter than the arabica. "With regular robusta, you really get a dry throat and if you feel it, your throat feels scratchy because of the salt, and it is really bitter on the back of the tongue," Byron Pantoja, CFP vice preside for operations and Q Arabica and Robusta grader, said. Byron added, "with the fine robusta, it is super smooth. You feel like you have a full mouth, a nice heavy coffee but it's really smooth and it tastes sweet and good." Pantoja said CFP is helping several coffee farmers to develop and improve the quality of their robusta coffee. "What we do here in coffee for peace, we blend it. We have the specialty arabica mixed with fine robusta, yun ang pinapopularize namin (we are working on popularizing this)," Pantoja said. The arabica and fine robusta blend is CFP's Kapeyapaan 4AM Arabica & Robusta Coffee. Coffee beans are sourced from Mount Apo and are 33.3-percent robusta and 66.6-percent arabica (Catimor varietal). Pantoja said Koreans are coming to the Philippines looking for fine robusta. Long way to go Despite the recent gains of the local coffee industry, leaders in the industry say there is still room for improvement for our coffee farmers both in quality and quantity. Pantoja said in competing in the international coffee market, there is a need to improve the quality considering that the Philippines does not have large contiguous lands to plant a massive coffee farm. "We have to take note that the Philippines is a group of islands. Therefore, wala tayong panlaban kay (It is not easy to compete with) Vietnam that could plant sa massive and areas nila. So our only edge is to produce... premium and specialty coffee and fine robusta," Pantoja said. Quisol, for his part, said local coffee farmers still struggle to meet local demand. "While the potentials of Philippine coffee are recognized through the PCQC, we also must note that there is a huge demand for Philippine specialty coffee in the local market... Also, for a country that is a net importer of coffee, we cannot meet domestic demand in terms of volume. And the demand is expected to continuously increase in the coming years," he said. CFP and ACDI/VOCA are currently working with DA and Department of Industry to improve coffee quality and raise awareness of Philippine coffee. (To be continued) (Editor's note: This is a three-part series on the growing coffee scene in Davao Region)  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 13 Jun 2021 04:05 AM PDT I GOT my first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine two weeks ago. No major side effects except for that bearable pain and reddish skin in my left arm. Some of my office mates had chills and fever for one to two days; others did not feel any side effects at all. My mother, who is almost 80 and had suffered a stroke twice, got the vaccine too at a walk-in center. No side effects; only the expected pain during the injection. And now, she feels more confident even if she has been staying at home for more than one year. With the vaccine, I am assured that I get the best protection although I also always observe the health protocols. I have this peace of mind because I am vaccinated. If medical doctors and nurses, who know better about vaccines, get themselves vaccinated, I wonder what hinders other people to get vaccinated too. Yes, there are isolated cases of severe effects we see mostly in social media, but these are very rare. And sometimes, some stories are either unreal or exaggerated. I remember an infographic shared in Facebook about a couple riding a donkey. If the couple rides in the donkey, people say they don't pity the animal. If the husband rides alone, people say he is cruel for allowing his wife to walk. If he allows his wife to ride, people will say it is cruel of him to allow her alone. If they walk together with the donkey, people will say they are fools for not knowing how to use the donkey. In short, people will always have something to say. This is true with the vaccine too. People will always have something to say, something to doubt for. But the Department of Education (DepEd) is one with the call for vaccination for the protection of the whole population. DepEd has launched the Vacc2School: Ligtas na Bakuna Para sa Balik-Eskwela last month to encourage teaching and non-teaching personnel to get vaccinated and to inform, educate, and engage education stakeholders in supporting and promoting the national vaccination drive under the Department of Health. DepEd's campaign is already in TikTok now to get more attention and viewers. It already has TikTok users and the most notable is Dr. Lorenzo Mendoza, the schools division superintendent of Davao Occidental. He created short videos just to entertain, but they have become effective. DepEd Regional Director Allan G. Farnazo and Assistant Regional Director Maria Ines C. Asuncion have been very firm in this campaign. In virtual meeting or seminars, they have always reminded all the participants to observe health protocols and to get vaccinated. The inclusion of teachers to the A4 priority list is good news. They will get vaccinated anytime now. Majority, if not all, have been waiting for this. Because of the campaign, DepEd's own personnel have become fully aware of the benefits of the vaccine. DepEd Secretary Leonor M. Briones encourages teachers to get the vaccine because it is not only a matter of protecting their personal rights, but also a matter of protecting the lives and health of children entrusted to their care. The Public Affairs Service of DepEd under the leadership of Director June Arvin C. Gudoy is determined to create effective content for people to understand more. Afterall, only when we are educated can we make informed decisions. The vaccine gives us hope to return to normalcy. The virus is already here. It will be part of our lives. Only through the vaccine that we no longer worry about ourselves and our family. Only with the vaccine can we go back to face-to-face classes and to our normal lives.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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