Almost 40,000 vaccines administered
Following the inoculation of more than 12,000 Davaoenos through a series of vaccination drives rolled out through public-private sector collaboration, certain areas in the City are already moving from critical / high-risk to low-risk, strengthening the City’s defenses against the threat of new COVID variants like Omicron.
The vaccination drive led by Davao-based Aboitiz business units has surpassed its initial target of 24,000 jabs with approximately 39,000 jabs administered to local residents as it concluded its fourth leg, covering the city’s second and third districts. Apo Agua Infrastructura, Davao Light and Power Co., Inc., Hedcor, Inc., Therma South, Inc., and the Aboitiz Foundation teamed up with the City Government of Davao, Department of Education Region XI, and Davao City Health Office for the vaccination drive.
The strong turnout of residents wanting to be vaccinated prompted the Aboitiz Group and its partners to scale the initiative up and aim for 60,000 jabs.
"We in the Aboitiz Group here in Davao City heeded the call of our local government to reach herd immunity by operating multiple vaccination sites that are open to the public. It is a privilege for us to partner with the LGU, the City Health Office, and DepED XI to implement this ambitious project,” said Apo Agua Infrastructura Operations Head, Shake Aboitiz Tuason.
Merjade Deles-Calvo, Barangay Captain of Brgy. Tibungco in District II, reported a significant decrease in Covid-19 cases in her community following the vaccination drive, prompting the authorities to re-classify Brgy. Tibungco from being a critical or high risk to a low-risk barangay.
“With our vaccination program, we are targeting more than 50% of the population. And at present, we have already reached our target population. Hopefully, the number continuously increases as we continue to vaccinate the residents,” she shared.
Davao City Covid-19 Task Force Vaccination Cluster Head Dr. Josephine Villafuerte expressed gratitude to the Aboitiz Group for supporting local government units in their bid to fast-track the vaccination program of the cities to reach herd immunity. “We would like to thank Aboitiz for reaching out. You know, they've been going to third, first and second districts already doing the vaccination. It relieves us and they reach out to (even) the most, usually to the underserved communities,” she said.
Meantime Rosemarie T. Realino, parent to a 14-year old vaccinee residing also in Barangay Tibungco, asserted that, as a parent, her child’s vaccination gives her peace of mind that her family is protected from the virus. “When it comes to covid vaccination, let's be open-minded. It's for the sake of our children's safety and well-being. They will be protected from the virus and will hopefully be able to continue their normal lives. Allow them to enjoy themselves in a safer environment,” she advised other parents.
The Aboitiz Group is proud to be the government’s partner in its drive to protect communities against the dreaded virus.
“We would like to thank our partners and stakeholders for their all-out support in helping make this vaccination campaign a reality. We all have a role to play in beating this pandemic and we are honored to have the opportunity to live the Aboitiz Group’s purpose of driving change for a better world by advancing businesses and communities through this vaccination program," Tuason said.
The vaccination drive will continue this month and in the early part of next year. For December, the vaccination for second doses will continue for Tibungco District residents at F. Bustamante National High School on December 7 to 13, and Buhangin District residents at Cabantian Gym on December 20 to 2021.
To further reach underserved communities, the Group will also implement mobile vaccination initiatives, starting off with the Welfare Action Foundation of Davao (Boy’s Town Davao), a non-profit organization looking after boys from poor families. By early 2022, the vaccination drive will also cover booster shots for medical frontliners.