CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, May 1 (PIA) -- A total of 10 economic frontliners in Pampanga received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director Geraldine Panlilio said that aside from being minimum wage earners, the recipients come from priority establishments that have face-to-face interactions with their customers such as retail, service, food and deliveries.
“We have chosen them in coordination with Department of Health and the provincial government of Pampanga. This is a nationwide activity in celebration of Labor Day, wherein 10 economic frontliners per region get inoculated,” Panlilio said.
Aside from the economic frontliners, a total of 3,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) nationwide also got the jabs today.
“This one is just symbolic vaccination as part of paying tribute to our workers. However, for the rest of our economic frontliners, we will still follow the prioritization list of the national government,” she said.
Panlilio added that they are pushing for the prioritization of workers for the COVID-19 vaccines as DOLE knows how important workers are in the bounce back of the economy.
With this, she also called on employers who can provide free vaccines for their workers to do so in order to speed up the government’s vaccination program and reduce workplace transmission of the virus.
“At the same time that we ensure health and safety protocols in our workplaces, we hope to have a vaccination program for workers. Providing vaccines to your employees will help boost our efforts in the government,” Panlilio furthered.
Meanwhile, she also clarified that all workers belonging to the essential sector, should not be limited or hindered to work, including pregnant women and those with co-morbidities.
“We acknowledge that pregnant and co-morbid workers at a higher risk, however, employers have no right to stop them from reporting to work and implement the no pay, no work scheme. What they can do is provide alternative working arrangements like work from home. There are no limitations for workers because the economy needs them,” she stressed.
For his part, Lorenzo Naguit, a cook and one of the 10 economic frontliner vaccinees, thanked the government for choosing him as one of the beneficiaries for this symbolic activity.
“I am very happy when I was informed about this. For me, this is a blessing because it will give me extra protection to carry out my job. After receiving my first dose, I feel more at ease now,” Naguit said.
However, he stressed that this is not a reason not to be careful anymore in dealing with other people. Despite having vaccinated, he urged the public to still continue observing personal hygiene, proper hand washing, and being mindful when interacting with other people.
This year’s Labor Day celebration carries the theme, “Mayo Uno sa Bagong Panahon— Manggagawa at Mamamayan Babangon, Susulong!” (CLJD/MJSC-PIA 3)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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