The Philippine Red Cross' (PRC) "Bakuna" Bus travelled to different barangays in Aklan to vaccinate more individuals against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in a continuous aim to curb the spread of the virus, the organization said on Wednesday, Nov. 24.
As of Nov. 23, the PRC said that its Bakuna Bus in Aklan has vaccinated 5,574 individuals while fully vaccinating 1,888.
"Patuloy ang aming pagbabakuna sa mga komunidad. Layunin ng Red Cross na maging ligtas ang mga Pilipino kontra COVID-19 upang makamit ang herd immunity sa bansa (Our vaccinations continue in the communities. It is PRC's goal to ensure the safety of the Filipinos against COVID-19 and achieve herd immunity in the country)," PRC Chairman and CEO Senator Dick Gordon said.
According to the PRC Aklan Chapter, the Bakuna Bus drove to Barangays Yawan, Mina-a, Malindog, Aparicio, Monlaque, San Jose, Naile, Naligusan and Rizal in the town of Ibajay, Aklan.
PRC Aklan Chapter also expressed its gratitude to the local government of Ibajay and Municipal Office staff, barangay councils, tanods, MDRRMO, Ibajay Municipal Police Station, Red Cross Action Team (RCAT 143), and other volunteers.
"We would like to send our special thanks to 2nd Aklan Provincial Mobile Force Company SWAT team - PCpl Cyrus Niño L Manikan, PCpl Altreyo P Hilario, PCpl Sotero B Lauz III, PCpl Ian Anthony Hofileña, Pat Jeromy V Gregorio, and Pat Roderick T Briones, under the supervision of CO Donnel P. Regis, for the added force in making sure that health protocol is in place," the Aklan Chapter said.
"The Aklan Provincial Government through the Provincial Health Office is always behind our team, together with our service partners - Philippine Pharmacists Association Aklan, Rotary Club of Metro Kalibo, and BB Cares," it added.
Meanwhile, Gordon also highlighted the PRC's various achievements in Iloilo.
"We have always been strong in responding to COVID-19. The island of Panay has achieved another milestone as the only PRC Molecular Laboratory on the island located at Passi, Iloilo has now tested 21,055 individuals since it opened last January 22, 2021," he said.
According to Gordon, apart from testing, the PRC Iloilo Chapter also supports the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination program.
"With our partner, Ceres Liner, the Red Cross has now inoculated 12,729 individuals through the Bakuna Bus bringing us closer to what we call population protection or herd immunity," he added.
The PRC head emphasized that the strength of our Red Cross volunteers and staff goes way beyond our COVID-19 initiatives and that all of their Red Cross services will always be fully involved in responding to the challenges of the times As the country's premier humanitarian organization, PRC said that it responds to every emergency and disaster. Last 2020, PRC stated that it has collected 22,435 units of blood and dispensed 20,376 units through the PRC Iloilo Blood Center achieving a performance of 78 percent. The PRC has also built over 6,609 houses for those affected by past typhoons and other disasters.
"As the Red Cross, Our hearts are for our country, and every day we continue to strive hard to reach out, especially to the most vulnerable," Gordon said.