By Jerome Carlo Paunan
MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) today echoed the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for local government units (LGUs) to ensure that facilities in vaccination sites are designed to give special accommodation to senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
In a directive to governors, mayors and punong barangays, DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said LGUs must see to it that vaccination sites, including their outside premises and queueing areas, should cater to individuals with special needs.
“Huwag natin hayaang mahirapan ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga senior citizens, ang mga may karamdaman at PWDs, na magpapabakuna. Let us make their vaccination as smooth and hassle-free as possible,” Secretary Año said.
In the same directive, the DILG Secretary tasked LGUs to ensure that people are safe and convenient with little to no exposure to rains, floods, and other natural or man-made hazards, and not exposed to health risks and other hazards detrimental to their safety on the day of their vaccination amid torrential monsoon rains and flooding in several areas of the country in the past few days.
“While we are ramping up efforts to vaccinate the majority of our populace, LGUs should take into consideration the safety and convenience of both the vaccination work force and the vaccine recipients. Kailangang siguruhin ng ating mga LGUs na maayos at hindi baha sa vaccination sites upang hindi maexpose sa ibang sakit ang ating mga kababayan,” he said.
He also said LGUs should also make their scheduling and appointment system more efficient with definite time slots in order to prevent long lines and unreasonable queueing, especially in the morning.
“Gawan po natin ng maayos na sistema ang bakunahan para hindi sabay-sabay ang pagpunta ng mga tao sa vaccination site at masunod pa rin ang physical distancing,” he said. (Let us ensure that systems are in place to avoid people crowding at vaccination sites and physical distancing is always implemented.)
“The safety of everyone should be top of mind as we carry out our vaccination efforts and especially during this rainy season,” Año added. Philippine Information Agency
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