Cebu Pacific (CEB) has rolled out a free vaccination program for employees and their dependents as well as third-party workers, aiming to have everyone fully vaccinated by October this year.
To date, 51 percent of CEB’s total workforce have been inoculated; while 58 percent of its flying pilots and crew have received their vaccine doses.
The inoculation initiative is part of the Gokongwei Group's COVID Protect Program, which started last month with the vaccination of frontliners from Robinsons Retail.
The first batch of 300 CEB employees under the COVID Protect ptogram received their conglomerate-procured vaccines at the airline’s headquarters in Pasay City.
This month, CEB expects to complete the administration of the first dose.
All CEB employees and third party workers will be fully vaccinated in three months.
Prior to the COVID Protect program, CEB advocated that the earliest vaccine is the best vaccine and partnered with the Pasay LGU and the Project Balik-Buhay of Cebu, alongside LGU vaccination programs where employees reside.
“Even before the pandemic, the safety and overall flight experience of our passengers have been topmost priorities," stressed CEB Vice President for People Department Felix Lopez.
"With the pandemic, now more than ever, health is of primordial concern," he added.
The airline continues to intensify its safety drive to inspire passenger confidence as more Filipinos gear up for the easing of requirements and restrictions for air travel.
“We are thankful to the CEB management for ensuring we fly safely amid this pandemic, so we can also make sure we deliver the best service to our passengers,” Cebu Pacific pilot Capt. Joey Mananghaya commented.
The employee vaccination initiative is also in line with the airline company’s shared vision with "Ingat Angat", a private-sector led campaign promoting safety measures and vaccination to help foster a nationwide economic recovery.
As the campaign’s official airline partner, CEB has also transported millions of vaccine doses for the Filipino people.
In all, CEB carried over 14 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from China to Manila, and over 4 million doses to 21 provinces to date.
CEB operates the widest domestic network in the Philippines covering 31 destinations, on top of its five international destinations.
Its 74-strong fleet, one of the youngest in the world, includes two dedicated ATR freighters and one A330 freighter.