The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is pushing for the inclusion of economic frontline workers among the A4 priority group in the government's mass vaccination program against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“PEZA-registered companies, ecozone and industry workers are considered frontline workers as they have continued working to ensure the unhampered service to contribute to the global supply chain," PEZA Director General Charito Plaza said in her letter addressed to Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Disease head, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.
She emphasized the importance of locators and ecozone workers in preparing the country for its post-COVID economic rebound.
PEZA locators, which include outsourcing and export-oriented firms, have been allowed to operate at a limited capacity amid the current lockdown to cushion the continuing adverse impact of COVID-19 on the economy.
According to Plaza, PEZA zones have reported that 90 percent or a total of 2,701 companies are already operating nationwide, with 1,193,813 employees working under various work schemes even during the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from April 12 to 16.
Based on the government's vaccination priority list, the A4 category is composed of frontline personnel in essential sectors, which have now been expanded to include additional groups such as transportation workers, market vendors, religious leaders, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and members of the press.
Meanwhile, Plaza said the agency is helping with the facilitation of the locators’ purchase of vaccines on a per ecozone basis for ease of administration. She said this is subject to strict compliance with COVID vaccination protocols.
"The ecozone vaccination program is best way PEZA can contribute to the attainment of herd immunity, which will accelerate the country's full reopening of the economy and transition to the new normal," she added.