If there are sectors who are hesitant to get vaccinated, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said that the education sector would be more than willing to get the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine jabs instead.
“Kung mayroong vaccination hesitancy, ibigay na lang ang bakuna sa education sector (If there’s vaccination hesitancy, give the vaccine to the education sector),” CHED Chairperson Prospero De Vera III in a statement issued Thursday, May 20. “Walang hesitancy sa education sector (There is no hesitancy in the education sector),” he added.
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As part of the week-long celebration of the 27th anniversary of CHED, the Commission has partnered with local government units (LGUs) and the Department of Health (DOH) to inoculate education frontliners in symbolic vaccination activities.
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On May 18, CHED led the symbolic vaccination of education frontliners of the Universidad de Manila with the Manila City government. On May 19, CHED and the City Government of Marikina partnered to vaccinate higher education frontliners.
These efforts, De Vera said, is in recognition of the essential services provided by education frontliners amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Kung hindi umandar iyong educational system natin, wala tayong graduates na magagaling, wala tayong labor force sa susunod na taon (If our educational system doesn't work, we don't have good graduates, we don't have a labor force next year),” De Vera said.
The ceremonial vaccination in Marikina Sports Complex was attended by De Vera; Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro; Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina (PLMar) President Erico M. Habijan; Atty. Lily Freida M. Milla, Officer-in-Charge, Office of the President, Marikina Polytechnic College (MPC); CHED Commissioners Aldrin Darilag and Ronald Adamat and; UniFAST OIC-Executive Director Ryan Estevez.
“Gusto nating iparating na may pangangailangan na mapangalagaan natin at mapaghandaan iyong mga institution of higher education (We want to convey that there is a need for us to protect and prepare those institutions of higher education),” Teodoro said.
Five HEI frontliners from MPC were vaccinated including Nanette Oliveros, Ester Ravino, Gemili Gracia Nimfa Francisco who are non-teaching personnel and; Vilma Sugay who is a faculty member.
HEI frontliners from PLMar who were vaccinated were Renante Hinanay and Arman Jacinto who are both faculty members; Chary Renos in the Utility Department; Jennifer De Leon and Rubeline Albesa who are both Administration Staff.
CHED said that these frontliners are under the A4 category, which is a prioritization set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) for vaccine to frontliners and skeleton workforce employees in essential sectors like education during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Ang vaccination po, you're not doing it for yourself. You're doing it for your family, for your grandchildren and the people around you,” De Vera added.
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