Many Indigenous Peoples (IP) were still hesitant to get vaccinated against Covid-19 due to their own culture and practices, said National Committee on Central Cultural Communities Head Pablito Gonzales.
"Mayroon kaming actually kultura, mayroon kaming practice na since time in memorial na marami namang sakuna, maraming pandemya ang dumating walang nangyari sa amin (We have our culture and practice, since time in memorial that a lot of disasters and pandemic arrived nothing really happened to us)," Gonzales said referring as to why some IPs refused to receive the vaccine.
In a public briefing on Monday, Oct. 3, Gonzales also noted that just an estimated 40 to 50 percent of IPs have received the Covid-19 vaccine as of the moment.
He said that the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the Department of Health have been conducting information dissemination regarding the importance of the Covid-19 vaccine in IPs communities yet some IPs were really hesitant to get the jab.
"Para sa kanila, mayroon silang indigenous knowledge systems and practices and spirituality na kaya nilang i-combat itong pandemya tulad ng Covid-19 (For them, they have their indigenous knowledge systems and practices and spirituality that can combat a pandemic like Covid-19)," he said.
Despite that, Gonzales said that they are continuously encouraging the IPs to get vaccinated.