MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)—Despite the decline in the number of coronavirus disease (Covid)-19 cases in the province, the City Health Officer (CHO) here renewed his appeal to residents of Lanao del Sur to get inoculated against the dreaded disease.

“Yung bumaba ang active cases sa Marawi City at Lanao del Sur, yun po ay temporary lang. Nangyari yun dahil sa pinatupad na No Sunday Movement at No Mass Gathering, but that is only temporary,” said Dr. Ali Dalidig during the orientation on Bayanihan Bakunahan on Tuesday, November 23.

[The decrease in active cases in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur is only temporary. That happened because of the implementation of the No Sunday Movement and No Mass Gathering, but this is only temporary.]

Per data from the Integrated Provincial Health Office, the number of Covid-19 active cases in the province was down to 12 as of Tuesday and no new case was recorded for the past two days.

Dalidig emphasized that vaccination remains the ultimate prevention strategy against Covid-19 that is why people should be vaccinated.

With this, he encouraged attendees of the orientation to help in convincing the public to partake in the vaccination program

“Let us convince yung mga kababayan natin, yung mga kapitbahay natin na magpabakuna. Kasi kung hindi tayo magpabakuna, pwede tayong tanggihan ng mga neighboring cities at provinces. Baka hindi na tayo papuntahin sa Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato City, o Iligan City dahil dito sa atin sa Lanao napakababa ng ating vaccination rate, only 9% ang fully vaccinated. Sa atin sa Marawi only 11%,” he said.

[Let us convince our countrymen, our neighbors to get vaccinated. Because if we don't get vaccinated, neighboring cities and provinces can refuse us. We might not be accepted to enter Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato City, or Iligan City because here in Lanao our vaccination rate is very low, only 9% are fully vaccinated. In Marawi, it's only 11%.]

In convincing the Meranaws about getting jabbed, the CHO underscored the crucial role of religious leaders in explaining the importance of the vaccine and that it is Halal and not against Islam.

He also pointed out that teachers should also be vaccinated noting that some are still hesitant.

“Yung mga teachers, we are planning to have face-to-face classes next year. Paano tayo makakapag face-to-face classes if not all the teachers are 100% vaccinated? Paano tayo makakapag face-to-face classes kung yung 12-17 years old na learners natin ay hindi vaccinated? he said.

[The teachers, we are planning to have face-to-face classes next year. How can we do face-to-face classes if not all the teachers are 100% vaccinated? How can we do face-to-face classes if our 12-17 years old learners are not vaccinated?]

Dalidig reiterated that the support of everyone in the vaccination rollout is vital in protecting future generations.

The orientation on Bayanihan Bakunahan was conducted by the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (PIATF) to drum up support to the vaccination drive that aims to inoculate 15 million Filipinos for three days.

For Lanao del Sur including Marawi City, a total of 300,000 jabs must be administered during the Bayanihan Bakunahan. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)