As the government moves to boost the country's vaccination rate against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Malacañang has encouraged those who are not yet vaccinated to participate in the "Bayanihan, Bakunahan" program, the nationwide simultaneous vaccination drive from November 29 to December 1.
Acting presidential spokesman Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles made the statement a week before the start of the three-day national vaccination days which will be headed by the departments of Health (DOH) and the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
In his statement on Monday, November 22, Nograles urged those who remain unvaccinated to "get the jab done."
"We urge our unvaccinated kababayans to participate in the 'Bayanihan Bakunahan' project so that they can provide themselves and their families with the protection and peace of mind that vaccines provide its recipients," he said.
"Together, we can get the jabs done; together, we can beat COVID," he added.
The Palace official thanked the frontliners who will be leading the three-day nationwide vaccination effort against the dreaded respiratory disease.
"We also thank all those who are now working to organize all the personnel and resources that will be mobilized to vaccinate our countrymen and extend our gratitude to the frontliners who will do their best to contribute to the success of this initiative," he said.
Meanwhile, Nograles said President Duterte has ordered all government agencies and instrumentalities to extend all possible support to the "Bayanihan, Bakunahan" program.
The "Bayanihan, Bakunahan" program aims to vaccinate 15 million Filipinos across 16 regions outside Metro Manila. At present, 32.9 million Filipinos and counting are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
"The 'Bayanihan Bakunahan' project seeks to significantly add to this figure, as we have all seen evidence of how increased vaccination rates have contributed to the reduction of active COVID-19 cases and the drop in daily new COVID-19 cases," Nograles said.
On November 19, Nograles said November 29, 2021, and December 1, 2021, will be declared as special working days in support of the upcoming National Vaccination Days in the Philippines.
Malacañang, however, has yet to issue the necessary documentation to declare the said dates as special working days.
Meanwhile, November 30 or Bonifacio Day is already a regular non-working holiday.