QUEZON CITY (June 20, 2022) – “Nang dahil sa inyo, milyon milyong buhay ang ating nailigtas mula sa COVID-19. Kayo ang patunay na walang imposible kung tayong lahat ay magkakaisa, magtutulungan, at higit sa lahat, buo ang adhikaing magsilbi sa bayan.”

This was the message of National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr, during an awarding ceremony for health personnel and volunteers of the Centers for Health Development (CHD) and Regional Vaccination Operations Center (RVOC) held here on Monday.

“Sa gitna ng ating laban kontra sa COVID-19, umusbong ang mga bagong bayaning tulad ninyo na isinantabi ang inyong mga personal na kapakanan at kaligtasan para sa ating mga mahal na kababayan. Kayo ang mga tunay na bayani ng henerasyong ito,” Galvez said.

The vaccine czar lauded members of the CHD and RVOC for helping the country achieve its target of fully inoculating more than 70 million Filipinos before the term of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte ends.

“Masaya akong ibahagi sa inyo na noong nakaraang Sabado, ay naabot na natin ang ating target na ma-fully vaccinate ang higit 70 million na Pilipino,” Galvez.

Based on latest data from the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC), a total of 153,109,942 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered nationwide, with 70,032,274 shots (77.81%) administered as the second dose.

“Everyone has had a very important role in the overall success of our vaccination program and again, I would like to convey in behalf of the DOH and IATF to each one of you – you have become part of history,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

Duque likewise thanked health workers for not only helping the national government respond to the challenges brought about by the health crisis, but for also continuing to address other emerging health-related concerns.

“As your Secretary of Health, I think I have stood witness to extreme difficulties that you have been going through..that you [have] managed and are able to hang on and learn to overcome these unprecedented challenges,” he added.

The following RVOCs were awarded certificates of recognition for their invaluable contribution to the successful implementation of the National Vaccination Program:

Metro Manila: Most excellent region in multi-sectoral collaboration
Ilocos: Most innovative region for rolling out one of the most comprehensive vaccination campaigns
Cagayan Valley: Best pediatric and senior (A2) vaccination, and social mobilization implementation
Central Luzon: Most consistent region; one of the top three regions with the highest daily vaccination accomplishment
CALABARZON: Most committed region for implementing one of the largest vaccination rollouts nationwide
MIMAROPA: Best region in vaccine handling and delivery strategy for hard-to-reach areas.
Bicol: Best handling of challenges in vaccine delivery
Western Visayas: Best region in logistics management
Central Visayas: Survivor award for being resilient amidst numerous challenges
Eastern Visayas: Most improved after coaching
Zamboanga Peninsula: Most flexible region for being able to change strategies and implement new methodologies
Northern Mindanao: Best region in strategic implementation
Davao: Best hospital vaccination rollout
SOCCKSARGEN: Most successful region after microplanning
Cordillera: Best A3 Individuals with comorbidities vaccination
CARAGA: Most resilient region
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM): Best last-mile implementation

 

Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje, who is also the chairperson of the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC), called on the awardees to continue to show a good example and act as leaders in their respective fields.

“Sana in the end, you aspire to become better, continue to lead, continue to guide your RVOCs, and continue to inspire. Sabi nga nila pagod na ‘yung mga healthcare workers. But we need to inspire them and have their trust and confidence,” Cabotaje said.###