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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lorenzana taps military to bring COVID-19 vaccines to remote areas

Lorenzana taps military to bring COVID-19 vaccines to remote areas

Published Jun 29, 2021 12:54 pm

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has instructed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to help in the transportation of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines in remote and far-flung areas.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (Photo courtesy of SND Delfin Lorenzana Facebook page)

Lorenzana, who also serves as the chairman of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, said he alerted all the military hospitals across the country to assist the LGUs in the immunization drive with the expected arrival of more vaccines in the coming months.

"Mr. President, in anticipation to the arrival of huge volume of vaccines, I have alerted the military hospitals all over the country to assist the LGUs in the vaccination program," Lorenzana told President Duterte during the latter's public address on Monday night, June 28.

The transportation of the vaccines in geographically-isolated areas has been a challenge for the national government as some of the brands have very sensitive cold storage requirements to maintain their efficacy.

The Defense Chief said the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Air Force can use its planes and ships to transport the vaccines in remote and far-flung areas that are difficult to be reached via land travel.

"Mayroon din tayong mga 11 barko na puwedeng maghakot ng mga vaccine kasi mayroon po silang refrigeration capacity na malaki. Kung dadalhan po natin ‘yong mga isla ay puwede nating gamitin ‘yong barko (We also have 11 ships that we can use to transport the vaccines because they have big refrigeration capacity. If we are to bring to the islands, we can use these ships)," he noted.

"Ang ating mga eroplano din ay handa ring mag-transport ng mga vaccines mula Manila papuntang probinsiya (Our planes are also ready to transport the vaccines from Manila to the provinces," he added.

Further, Lorenzana said there are 20 Army hospitals, nine Navy hospitals, eight Air Force hospitals, and 11 medical facilities in various unified commands all over the country which can be used as vaccination sites by the LGUs.

The inititative came after President Duterte ordered the NTF to prioritize the allocation of vaccines in areas outside Metro Manila that are experiencing surge, particularly in Visayas and Mindanao.

In July, more than 13.3 million doses are expected to arrive in the country while 13.6 million doses are set to be delivered in August.

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remote area Transportation covid-19 Delfin Lorenzana vaccine
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