DILG orders PNP to coordinate with LGUs in securing COVID-19 vaccines

Feb 10, 2021 08:48 AM

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday, Feb. 10, to coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) in securing the delivery of vaccines for the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), especially in far-flung areas of the country.’

(FILES) This file photo taken on January 08, 2021 shows empty bottles of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the Emile Muller hospital in Mulhouse, eastern France. US pharma group Pfizer warned on January 15, 2021 that Covid-19 vaccine deliveries to Norway and Europe would be reduced "as of next week" as the company ramps up its production capacity, Norwegian health authorities said. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP)

DILG officer-in-charge (OIC) Bernardo C. Florece, Jr. said the vaccines should be treated as a 'precious as gold' items and therefore should be secured and escorted by the PNP to the intended destinations.

“More than a historical milestone, the national vaccination program aims to save lives and will put an end to this pandemic. We direct the PNP to be in close coordination with the LGUs so that these vaccines are secured and protected,” Florece said.

The national government targets to start the coronavirus disease- 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations of frontline healthcare workers on Febryary 15 with the initial batch of 117,000 doses of vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech. The National Task Force COVID-19 is aiming to inoculate the first healthcare sector's 1.4 million individuals.

As a member of the Task Group Supply Chain and Logistics, Florece said the PNP is expected to be a constant presence in accordance with the national government’s vaccination plan, primarily to secure and protect the COVID-19 vaccines and the team that will be administering them.

Based on the Philippine National Deployment and Vaccination Plan, Florece explained that local officials like the barangay captains and barangay safety officers must assist the PNP.

“Tulad nang lagi nating paalala, we need all the help that we can get sa pandemyang ito lalo na sa nalalapit na pagbabakuna sa ating bansa kaya ang ating PNP, kasama ang mga pinuno ng barangay at mga tanod, ay inaasahan nating makikipagtulungan at makikiisa (Like my constant reminder, we need all the help we can get in this pandemic as the vaccination in the country nears. That is why our PNP together with the barangay officials and tanod (village security personnel) are expected to help and cooperate with one another),” said Florece.