A jab up for grabs
By
Venus L. Garcia
With
the government mainly ensuring the welfare of the country and every Filipino,
the life-saving coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines were finally
delivered in the Caraga region.
The
vaccination speedily commenced wherein more than 900 frontline healthcare
workers of the Caraga Regional Hospital (CRH) in Surigao City have signified
for the first batch of COVID-19 vaccination in the region.
First
to get the jab of CoronaVac vaccine from a Chinese company Sinovac was Dr.
Angel Eugenio Batac, Department of Medicine head and vaccination team leader of
the CRH where the historic ceremonial vaccination was held.
“Vaccination
is most beneficial especially for us medical frontliners and those others who
are in the frontline service. Let’s do away with the apprehensions and be glad
instead that the vaccines have now arrived in our region. This is one of the
means to totally terminate the pandemic,” said Dr. Batac.
Out of
the 9,000 vials of Sinovac vaccines received, a total of 650 vials were
initially delivered to the CRH while recipients from the Adela Serra Ty
Memorial Medical Center in Surigao del Sur were also given from the allocated
500 vials of COVID-19 vaccines.
Grace
Platil, chief nurse of the CRH and the first female vaccine recipient in the
region, said she did not feel any pain at all as she received her initial dose.
She
likewise motivates people by emphasizing optimism that a COVID-19 jab will be
up for grabs not only to healthcare workers but to the elderly, people who are
considered most vulnerable, and to every Filipino.
“Here I
am now, I just got my first dose and I didn’t feel a sting of pain or
whatsoever. We really need to be inoculated as a defense against the deadly
virus and as a protection not only for ourselves but for our loved ones and the
people surrounding us,” she said, describing her condition after taking the
shot of vaccine.
Meanwhile,
Department of Health - Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga regional
director Dr. Jose Llacuna, Jr. advised that even with the availability of
vaccines, people should not let their guard down and continue to follow the
safety and health protocols.
“COVID-19 vaccines help our bodies
develop immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19. It’s our defense
aside from the regular wearing face mask and face shield, washing of hands, and
social distancing,” said Dir. Llacuna.
While
the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines continues across the country, the Caraganons
have an increased confidence that it would bring hope for a COVID-19-free
world.
“I am
willing to be vaccinated because I believe this is one important way to help
stop the pandemic. I want my family to be protected from the risk of acquiring
the virus,” said Arnel Arceso, a resident and an employee in one of the private
hospitals in Surigao City.
According
to Lacuna, the government assured that the purchased and distributed vaccines
are safe and effective.
The
initial 9,000 vials of vaccines that arrived in the Caraga region are expected
to be distributed to the eleven referral hospitals.
The allocated vaccines for the region cover two doses with an interval of four weeks from the first dose. (Venus L. Garcia/PIA-Caraga)
PNU-Mindanao supports
TF-ELCAC peace efforts
By 2Lt.
Cecille Tappa
TALACOGON,
Agusan del Sur, Mar. 13 - The Philippine Normal University (PNU)-Mindanao, one
of the schools in Agusan del Sur, has expressed its support to the peace
efforts of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict
(RTF-ELCAC) during an Information Drive Towards Sustainable Peace Symposium
held on March 10, 2021.
Anchored
on the theme: "Protect the Youth. Protect the Future," the said forum
was aimed to spread awareness to the youth sector about the recruitment schemes
and deceptive lies of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army
(CPP-NPA), officially designated by the Philippine Government, United States
and European Union as a Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).
The
symposium was made possible through the joint efforts of the 26th Infantry
(Ever Onward) Battalion, 42nd CMO Company and 402nd Infantry (Stingers)
Brigade, all of Philippine Army in collaboration with the National Intelligence
Coordinating Agency (NICA) and POINTY, Inc.-Agusan del Norte. In observance of
the COVID-19 health protocols, the forum was conducted via Zoom platform.
A total
of 93 students participated in the symposium which composed of 72 student
leaders from the PNU-Mindanao Student Government headed by Mr. Alexis Q.
Sebote, Student Regent, and 21 campus writers from The Torch Publication, the
official publication of PNU-Mindanao headed by its Editor-in-Chief,
Herminigildo Genon.
NICA 10
and 13 Regional Director Manuel M. OrduΓ±a lectured about the CTG's recruitment
to the youth and student sector. "The terrorist group has already
infiltrated schools conducting recruitment of students and involving them to
all forms of violence and terrorism-related activities. Hence, the different
concerned agencies that composed the Regional Task Force to End Local Communists
Armed Conflict are intensifying its efforts to protect the youth and promote
their rights and welfare,” he cited.
Also,
Glynmer A. Jamito, POINTY Board of Trustee, encouraged the youth to become
family-oriented individuals, responsible social-media users, disciplined and
law-abiding citizens during his lecture on Youth Empowerment.
An open
forum after the lectures paved way to the questions of the participants.
"This symposium opened our eyes and minds about the activities of the
leftist organizations, as a student leader, I realized that involving yourself
in the armed revolution is a worst decision that might end your life. To my
fellow leaders and to the youth sector, let's focus on our studies and make our
parents proud by using our talents and skills in a right way," Sebote
said.
Professor
Jeanette T. Gongora, Director from the Office of Students Services (OSS) of
PNU-Mindanao, highlighted the vital role of the educators in inculcating right
and accurate information to the learners. She also emphasized that they support
the implementation of the government’s Executive Order No. 70 or the
whole-of-nation approach to end the insurgency.
"As
mandated by the Executive Order No. 70, we in the State, Colleges and
Universities (SUCs) are directed to render the necessary support to the
Regional/Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. As the
second parents of the students, it is necessary for us to protect them from the
CPP-NPA terrorists," she said.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Reynald Romel A. Goce, Commanding Officer of 26IB expressed
his appreciation to all the participants and active partners for rendering
invaluable support and cooperation with the unit that made the symposium
significant and successful. "Thank you for your cooperation and we are
looking forward for a more enhanced partnership with you in our peace campaign.
The youth is our future and they play a significant role in nation and peace
building. Let's protect and empower them to be advocates of peace. Let's be part
of this campaign and help the government in achieving sustainable peace,"
he said. (Acting CMO officer, 26IB/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
