It is still an “uphill battle” for the government to convince Filipinos to get vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), retired Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr., spokesperson of the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19, said in a radio interview last Saturday, May 22.

"We have an uphill battle in convincing people to get vaccinated. Half of the population are willing, but hindi umabot ng (it did not reach) 70 percent," Padilla said.

He was guest of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) during its radio program, “Tanggol Karapatan,” which is hosted by Radyo Veritas.

Last Saturday’s radio program episode was “Right to a Healthy Environment: Integrating Biodiversity Considerations Into the COVID-19 Crisis Recovery."

Padilla was asked by CHR Commissioner Gwen Pimentel Gana on the general consensus in terms of COVID-19 vaccination.

In his reply, Padilla revealed that a little more than half of Filipino adults, 51 percent, are willing to get vaccinated, and this was evidenced in the survey conducted by research organizations such as the SWS and Pulse Asia during the public-private forum called "Ingat Angat Tayong Lahat."

"Happy tayo dun, at least 51 percent, but ang goal natin ay 70 to 80 percent (We are happy with that, at least 51 percent, but our goal is really 70 to 80 percent)," he said.

He pointed out that the rest of the unwilling Filipinos appeared to be waiting for their preferred vaccine before getting inoculated.

He stressed the importance of convincing Filipinos to get vaccinated "not only for their own good, but also for their loved ones."

At the same time, Padilla underscored the important role of the media in disseminating the correct information regarding the vaccines. Without this information drive, he doubted that 70 to 80 percent of Filipinos will be willing to get their jabs.

"If we do not work together, especially with the media, regarding the real score of the vaccines, hindi tayo makakaabot sa (we will not reach) 70 to 80 percent. Malaking ambag ng media dito (The media has a huge contribution in this) -- communicating the right information and turning the balance to a more favorable and acceptable vaccination of our kababayans (countrymen)," he said.