Sunday, July 4, 2021

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/

Bakuna by the Sea: Tourism sector gives back

Posted: 04 Jul 2021 06:06 AM PDT

WHEN Davao City was hit by the pandemic in March 2020, the first restrictions imposed were on mass gatherings. Social events as weddings, birthdays, and corporate events were advised to keep the number of guests below 20.

Those who were first affected were event organizers and their suppliers. Others thought of reintroducing minimalist events organizing just to accommodate the smaller guest list. Eventually, when the cases in Davao City continued to surge, movement and travel restrictions were imposed. It did not only affect one or two elements in tourism but instead the entire sector. Hotels had to temporarily close down, tourism-related workers had to be laid off, and tourism-related freelancers had to find other means of income.

In a report from Mindanews in April 2021, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said tourism revenues in Davao Region were down by 93.7 percent to P3.4 billion in 2020 from P54.2 billion in 2019. Within the duration of the pandemic 41 tourism-related establishments in Davao Region have also decided to temporarily close down.

For some reason, this bumpy road has not left those in the tourism sector to be bitter and sorry for themselves. Instead of sulking because of the business losses, the members of the Davao Tourism Association (Data) and other stakeholders in the tourism industry decided to gather together and initiate a vaccination activity for their members belonging to the A4 priority list from June 30 to July 4, 2021 at the Waterfront Insular Hotel.

Vaccination as part of the recovery plan

Bakuna by the Sea is a vaccination program created under the partnership of the local government and private sectors. With the number of vaccines allocated by the local government to the tourism sector, the private sector was asked to provide for the logistics, the location, and the manpower.

"The entire industry is composed of more than 10 groups: hotels and accommodation and resorts, food and beverage (restaurants), travel and tours, transportation, beauty and wellness, educational institutions, farm tourism, Halal tourism, digital tourism, film tourism, sports tourism, sustainable, medical, and the media and the social events," said Data president-elect Cherry Faye Al-ag during The Talking Heads interview with SunStar Davao.

Because of how huge the industry is, they target to vaccinate 9,000 individuals and while the initial end of the program was only until July 2, it was extended until July 11.

As the organizers put it, "Basta Bakunado, Mubarog ang Turismo," which roughly translates to "As long as people are vaccinated, tourism will rise.

Al-ag also shared that she believes the tourism sector in the region is beaten up with all the challenges and restrictions brought by the pandemic but it is not "knocked down." The Bakuna by the Sea, she said, is a testament to the industry's efforts to rise despite everything.

Understanding that this is such a huge responsibility, Al-ag said Data immediately tapped industry leaders willing to work with them to make Bakuna by the Sea possible. She said they appreciated all the other business owners who volunteered their spaces as vaccination sites but said the organizers eventually decided on Waterfront Insular Hotel because of the wider space that can accommodate more vaccinees.

"It is their 60th anniversary here in Davao City. Instead of the usual funfair, they channeled the celebration by giving back to Davao City for the 60 years of partnership," she shared.

Bakuna by the Sea in the hands of professional organizers

While many vaccinees pre-registered and came to the vaccination area daily, many of them shared good experiences during the queuing process. This may be attributed to how the entire program was handled by individuals and groups who did organizing for a living.

According to Al-ag, they assigned people in different committees who will handle the vaccine sites, the media to inform more people, the registration site, and the medical and non-medical volunteers.

The pre-registration started online, which the vaccinees were asked to fill out before coming to Waterfront Insular Hotel. The verification of registration happened at the hotel's parking lot, followed by health condition assessments well done by medical volunteers. Here, nurses would make sure vaccinees understand the possible side effects and what they are getting themselves into. As getting inoculated with the vaccine is 100-percent voluntary, it is still important to not leave stones untouched and to have all areas of the process explained to the vaccinees. All the steps have chairs and shade so the vaccinees do not have to wait standing under the heat of the sun.

If the individual is deemed fit for vaccination (with normal pulse rate and blood pressure), they are to proceed to the vaccination tables. Before letting them go, the blood pressure will be checked again. Unless it reads normal, the vaccinee will be asked to rest and relax for 15 minutes before taking the blood pressure again.

One of those vaccinated was media practitioner Rodel Natad, reporter of GMA Super Radyo Davao.

"Isip communication frontliner, mapasalamaton ko sa hingpit nga nabakunahan ilabi na nga padayong gasaka ang kaso sa Covid-19 sa rehiyon. Pinaagi sa bakuna, maprotektahan nako akong pamilya ug mga taong napalibot kanako," he shared.

From June 30 to July 2, more than 2,000 tourism workers were inoculated, while 2,000 more were vaccinated from June 3 to 4.

Meanwhile, they will be taking a few days of rest but target to vaccinate an additional 5,000 tourism workers from July 7 to July 11.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Gibo: No politics in Davao City trip

Posted: 04 Jul 2021 03:18 AM PDT

FORMER defense secretary and 2010 presidential candidate Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro denied that his recent travel to Davao City to get his second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine was politics-related.

Teodoro went to Mintal Comprehensive High School on Saturday afternoon, July 3, 2021, for his second dose.

Before receiving his second dose, Teodoro and Duterte-Carpio faced the media. The mayor admitted that Teodoro did not plan on getting his first shot in the city.

The mayor said Teodoro heard positive feedback about the city's vaccine cluster and health workers.

"Sabi ko pwede ka mag-meet and greet and then nag-develop na into baka pwedeng dito siya magpabakuna para nakikita ng mga tao na 'Uy! OK magpabakuna. Magpabakuna na rin tao kasi si Sir Gibo, nagpabakuna na,'" Duterte-Carpio said.

(I told him that he can meet and greet them and then this developed into discussions of getting the vaccine because if people saw that he got the vaccine, people will say, "Hey, Sir Gibo got the vaccine. Let's get the vaccine too.")

Teodoro thanked the city for accommodating him in their vaccine rollout.

Teodoro, a resident of Tarlac, received his controversial first dose on June 3 at the Davao City Hall after he personally met Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio. Many criticized the former presidential candidate for "jumping the line." The Department of Health (DOH) said there are no geographic limits in getting the vaccine, but it asked DOH-Davao to explain how Teodoro was administered the vaccine.

DOH-Davao Director Annabelle Yumang also reiterated Vergeire's statement, adding that Teodoro was eligible to receive the vaccine in the city.

"Qualified si [Teodoro] na mabakunahan siya because of his comorbidity, which is hypertension (He is qualified to get vaccinated because of his comorbidity, which is hypertension)," Yumang said in a virtual presser on June 7.

Meanwhile, Teodoro declined to comment on speculations that his trip to Davao City was politically motivated.

"Let's not... There's a time for politics. It's not this time now," Teodoro said.

There have been talks that his presence in the city may be an indication that he and Duterte-Carpio will be running in Tandem in the upcoming 2022 elections.

"I've [come] here to support the public vaccination program of the whole government, particularly the City Government of Davao. It would be really tragic if another interpretation is given sa pagpunta ko dito (in my visit to the city). And there is a solid message here na magpabakuna tayo. Let us trust our public health system. That is the overarching message, which is more important than anything else," Teodoro added.

Duterte-Carpio admitted that she is saddened that some are saying that it was "political maneuvering." She said what they really want to give attention to is the vaccination campaign and encourage more Dabawenyos to get vaccinated.

She is hoping more big national personalities will come and help inform residents of Davao City about the vaccine.

Meanwhile, Teodoro agreed with supporters of Duterte-Carpio that she is qualified to succeed President Rodrigo R. Duterte. However, despite the clamor for the mayor to run, Teodoro said Duterte-Carpio is currently focusing on her job as mayor of the city, especially in addressing the pandemic.

When asked if he will be running for the upcoming elections, Teodoro said it is "too early to tell."

Duterte-Carpio also declined to comment on their possible tandem.

"No comment. Nandito kami... Importante sa akin na andito si sir Gibo kasi kung wala siya, wala din kayo. Di maha-highlight yung pagpapabakuna. Gusto namin i-highlight 'yung vaccination talaga. Ito yung kailangan gawin natin as a country ngayon," she said.

(No comment. We are here... What is important is that Sir Gibo is here. Because if not for his presence, you wouldn't be here [media]. Our ongoing vaccination rollout will not be highlighted. We really wanted to highlight our vaccination rollout. This is what the entire country needs right now.)

Meanwhile, Duterte-Carpio also declined to comment about Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) gibing her until end of July to decide on her 2022 plans.

The mayor also said she is not concerned with the possible attacks thrown against her if she does announce her political plans as early as now.

"Wala naman sa akin. Kasi wala naman silang masasabi sa akin kahit na anong gagawin nila. Wala silang masasabing black propaganda sakin (I don't mind it. After all, they cannot throw anything against them even if they would try. They do not have any black propaganda against me)," Duterte-Carpio said. (With reports from SunStar Philippines)

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Davao City mayor says vaccination doing very well

Posted: 04 Jul 2021 03:00 AM PDT

WITH more than 250,000 doses of Covid-19 administered, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the city's vaccination program is "doing very well."

"It's doing very well, and we are happy about it," Duterte-Carpio told the media in an ambush interview on Saturday afternoon, July 3, during the vaccine rollout at the Mintal Comprehensive High School.

According to the Davao City Vaccination Cluster, as of June 30, a total of 257,253 doses were already administered, of which 211,425 administered for the first dose and 45,828 on the second dose.

This comprises the Priority Groups A1 (health care workers), A2 (senior citizens), A3 (persons with comorbidities), A4 (essential workers), and A5 (indigent population).

Duterte-Carpio said the city can further expand its rollout once more doses arrive in the coming weeks.

"Importante sa atin ngayon is that naro-rollout natin 'yung mga bakuna doon sa vaccine centers natin and naha-highlight 'yung strategy natin dito sa Davao City," she said.

(What is important is the vaccines are being rolled out at our vaccine clusters and the strategies of Davao City are being highlighted.)

Various essential workers from different sectors under A4 received their Covid-19 vaccines over the weekend. The city government targeted to vaccinate more than 20,000 workers under the A4 group during this time.

The mayor said the city's vaccination on the Priority A4 group is on "sectoral vaccination."

"Kung organized 'yung grupo, binibigay namin sa kanila ang (If the group organized themselves, we can give them the) responsibility to run a vaccine center," she said.

The workers are vaccinated in different vaccination hubs including Boysen at Sasa Warehouse, Davao Colleges and Universities Network, Philippine Women's College and University of Mindanao Bolton Campus, Davao Association of College Schools, Ateneo de Davao University, San Miguel Brewery workers at Davao Doctors Hospital, Department of Education at various schools jab sites, transport Group at Agro-Industrial Foundation College, Chinatown Development Council at Chong Hua School, and workers of Abreeza Mall, Gaisano Mall, SM, and NCCC Malls.

With the expanded vaccine rollout due to ample supply, Duterte-Carpio said the city has currently reached its target to vaccinate 10,000 individuals per day.

The mayor is hoping that more vaccines will arrive so that the city can continuously roll out more doses to Dabawenyos.

Duterte-Carpio said the city is targeting to achieve herd immunity by November this year.

Davao City Covid-19 Vaccine Cluster head Dr. Josephine Villafuerte said the city still has ample supply.

Villafuerte said the city's pacing in the vaccine rollout is "faster" now that the rollout of the vaccines has been simultaneously vaccinated to all priority groups.

Villafuerte, however, said there are still some individuals on the upper priority groups that have not yet been inoculated.

The vaccine cluster head said they are confident to reach the estimated 1.2 million targeted herd immunity on or before the end of the year as long as supplies will constantly arrive in the city.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

CTTMO exec urges all transport sector members to get vaccinated

Posted: 04 Jul 2021 02:58 AM PDT

AN OFFICIAL from the Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) wanted all members of the transport sector to get inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccines since they are among those in the vulnerable sectors.

"Dapat mandatory gyud na siya kay mao na'y pinaka-[vulnerable sector] nga maka-interact sa laing tao. Lain-laing tao ang musakay ka sa ilang sakyanan. Sila pud dapat protected sila kay wala ta kabalo kung ang nisakay sa ilaha," CTTMO head Dionisio Abude said on Saturday, July 3, 2021 in an interview with the media at Agro-Industrial Foundation College in Ecoland, Matina.

(It should be mandatory since they are the most vulnerable sector as they are interacting with different people. Different kinds of people ride in their vehicles, they should also be protected since they do not know the health condition of their passengers.)

The Davao City government started rolling out the Covid-19 vaccines to the transport sector, including bus, jeep, taxi, and tricycle drivers, which are considered to be part of the Priority A4 group or the essential workers.

The vaccine rollout is in partnership with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB-Davao), Dumper PTDA Partylist, and other transportation companies.

Abude said many drivers lined up at the vaccination area as early as 3 a.m. He said they were able to control the line, and the entire vaccination was orderly implemented.

While the city government emphasized that the vaccine rollout is voluntary, Abude encouraged drivers from getting the vaccine to give them added protection as it would be impractical to ask each of their passengers whether they have been vaccinated or are manifesting Covid-19 symptoms.

The city will be rolling out the Sinovac vaccine for the transport sector until July 22.

Abude said they are targeting to vaccinate around 1,000 individuals from the transport sector per day.

The traffic official apologized to those who were not able to reach the cutoff as they strictly implement the "first come, first served" scheme.

"Kita magsinabtanay ta kay dili tanan ma-accomodate sa isa ka adlaw (We are hoping for your understanding since we cannot accommodate everyone within the day)," he said, adding that they can return the next day.

As of now, he cannot yet confirm if the city will still be allocating more doses once the 20,000 apportioned doses for the transport group run out as they are only relying on the allocation from the city government.

Meanwhile, drivers are reminded to bring their license or public utility vehicle (PUV) identification card, or their franchise document or certification from the operator.

Drivers with no existing license will not be prioritized, he said.

Abude assured that the vaccine rollout will not affect the transportation demand in the city since they limit the slot to 1,000.

Meanwhile, drivers who took a day off from operating during the vaccination need not worry, Abude said, as the city will be providing them with food packs and grocery items after the vaccination courtesy of Dumper and LTFRB.

Abude encouraged drivers to line up early so they can continue driving afterwards. Bus drivers were also advised to go to the area during their free time to avoid skipping work.

He said they did not receive any hesitation from the drivers, adding that the CTTMO had been rolling out their information drive to further encourage drivers.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Davao Region (LTFRB-Davao) Director Nonito Llanos III said other PUV beneficiaries are those with existing franchises including trucks-for-hire, public utility buses, taxis, UV express, among others.

Llanos also said PUV drivers, whether Davao City residents or not, as long as they are traversing in the city, are allowed to get a Covid-19 vaccine sponsored by the Davao City government during the rollout.

"Sa tibuok Pilipinas, first time ning nahitabo nga usa ka rehiyon nga gisponsoran og usa ka local government, labi na sa natad sa public transportation," Llanos said.

(In the entire Philippines, this is the first time that a certain region is being sponsored by a certain local government in the vaccine rollout, especially for those in the public transportation sector.)

Armando Escoto, public utility jeepney (PUJ) driver, did not hesitate to get vaccinated as he started lining up around 4 a.m.

Escoto said it is important that drivers like him, who are essential frontliners, get the vaccine not only for their protection but also for their passengers.

"Adlaw-adlaw mi gapamasahero. Sige mi libot-libot. Unya lahi-lahing tao amo nakahalobilo. Maong dako amo pasalamat kay natagaan og higayon nga mapabakunahan ang tanang drivers," he said.

(We drive to our route every day and we interact with different kinds of people. That is why we are grateful that all the drivers are given the chance to be vaccinated.)

Meanwhile, in a statement, Dumper PTDA Partylist Representative Claudine Bautista-Lim said the assistance is their way of thanking the transport sector for heeding the call of the government to have themselves vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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