CEBU CITY, July 1 (PIA) -- "Vaccination is the way to liberation."

Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama urged the public to get vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to achieve herd immunity and be free from this pandemic.

During the Network Briefing News interview hosted by Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Martin Andanar on June 30, Rama said he and his family have already been inoculated to set an example to everyone especially the youth who still have doubts in the vaccine.

As the city's vaccine czar, he said he must show leadership by example but cannot do that if his family is afraid to get vaccinated.

"My son has a comorbidity but I said they must take this opportunity and set a very good example to the youth because there are youth who are still questioning and doubting,” said Rama.

"If I can convince my son, I can convince the people in 80 barangays, telling them the importance of vaccination as a way to liberation. If we don't get vaccinated, we don't reach herd immunity," the vice mayor said.

He accompanied his son a week ago to get inoculated and posted photos on social media of their time at the vaccination center with a caption that reads, "As a father, like many others, I have peace of mind knowing that my son is safer now from the threat of the virus."

Meanwhile, Rama lauded the city's Emergency Operations Center, with its personnel reaching the "sitio level to do contact tracing, extraction, isolation, and treatment of persons who test positive for the virus.”

In terms of active cases, the vice mayor said they should focus more on how it will not be transmitted.

He said he gave marching orders to the Philippine National Police to not let their guard down and urged constituents "not to challenge" the authority, and instead they should help balance the health and economy.

This after authorities noticed an increase in the number of establishment violators who failed to comply with the health protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID-19.

"Violators will come if the implementers are not serious. If implementers and enforcers mean business, then violators will be reduced. This is all about discipline and governance," Rama said, adding that "compliance should start from the home where discipline emanates.” (Ileana D. Cortes/PIA7)