Opposition Senator Leila de Lima has lauded a Filipino doctor who took the initiative to lead vaccination efforts in one of the most under-vaccinated communities in Kern County, California.

De Lima said she hopes the Philippine government will learn from the efforts of Danielle Colayco, of Komoto Pharmacies, who launched the program together with California Farmworker Foundation (CFF).

“The effort of Dr. Danielle Colayco to lead the inoculation of farm workers in the most under-vaccinated communities in Kern County is truly admirable as it is inspiring,” De Lima said in a statement.

“Ipinakita ni Dr. Colayco ang mabubuting katangian ng lahing Pilipino—ang malasakit hindi lamang sa kapwa Pilipino kundi sa iba pang nasyonalidad; sa tapang at dedikasyon na gampanan ang trabaho sa kabila ng kaakibat na peligro (Dr. Colayco showed the best trait Filipinos have—to show concern not only to fellow Filipinos but also to other nationalities; the courage and dedication to do their job despite the danger),” the detained senator added.

De Lima, who is running for re-election in the upcoming May 2022 elections, said Colayco’s efforts remind everyone that there is no place for complacency in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic especially now that new variants continue to surface.

“If we want to ensure people’s safety and save as many lives as possible, we should go the extra mile to ensure that we can vaccinate even the people in far-flung areas,” she added.

“Sa halip na takutin o daanin sa dahas, kailangan nating hikayatin at bigyan ng insentibo ang marami pang magpabakuna, hindi lamang para sa kaligtasan nila at ng kanilang pamilya, kundi maging ng kalakhang lipunan at buong mundo (Instead of resorting to threats and violence, we need to come up ways to encourage and provide incentives to those who wish to be vaccinated, not only for their safety and their family, but for the whole community and the world),” De Lima stressed.

According to the lawmaker, Colayco, along with her team, made multiple trips from Los Angeles to Kern County to bring COVID-19 vaccines to farm workers in Delano.

At least 500 shots—mostly first doses—were given out during a recent event at the Delano School District headquarters in Kern County, which is home to a large farming community including a big Filipino population.

She said Colayco and CFF are reportedly planning another vaccination drive to start the New Year with an even higher vaccine turnout in areas that's been lagging on the inoculation program.