MARAWI CITY (PIA)--The government has once again highlighted the power of collaboration in the fight against the coronavirus disease (Covid)-19 through a three-day simultaneous vaccination activity nationwide.

The drive dubbed ‘Bayanihan, Bakunahan’ aims to inoculate nine million Filipinos from November 29 to December 1, 2021 to achieve herd immunity. In the Bangsamoro region, the target is to vaccinate 900,000 individuals of which 300,000 will come from Lanao del Sur province.

“This is the first time in the history of our country to have a mass intensification in terms of information drive, in terms of manpower. This is a whole-of-society approach, a whole-of-government approach to vaccinate our population. I hope within the three days makamtan natin dito sa BARMM ang ating target na (we can reach our target of) 300,000 per day,” said Health Minister Dr. Bashary Latiph during the campaign's ceremonial kick-off in Lanao del Sur held at the Provincial Capitol Grounds on Monday.

He said logistics and manpower were mobilized through the support of the different lines agencies of the government, security sector, and partner non-government organizations to ensure the success of the vaccination drive.

According to him, the President decided to have this three-day inoculation activity so that all sectors of the society, as well as the various offices of the government, can help in the vaccination efforts.

Latiph said the Covid-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption and hardships in the lives of Filipinos and continues to weigh heavy on the national economy. Thus, he appealed to the Bangsamoro people to grab the opportunity provided by the government and get vaccinated against Covid-19 during the three-day drive.

“Tulungan natin ang ating sarili, iligtas natin ang ating sarili at ang ating pamilya sa pandemyang ito na nakakahawa. Wala po itong gamot kung hindi po ang pagbabakuna. Ito po ay para sa ating lahat para bumalik tayo sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” he further said.

[Let’s help ourselves, let’s save ourselves and our families from this contagious pandemic. There is no medicine except for vaccination. This is for all of us so that we can return to our normal lives.]

The health minister also emphasized that the vaccination campaign will continue even after the three-day Bayanihan Bakunahan especially with the threat of the Omicron variant.

“We really do not know kung kailan dadating at sana hindi na dadating sa ating bansa itong omicron variant. Pero bago dumating iyan, dapat siguraduhin natin na bawat isa ay bakunado at protektado sa virus na ito dahil nanganganib ang ating buhay,” Latiph pointed out.

[We really don't know when this omicron variant will arrive and hopefully, it will not arrive in our country. But before that comes, we must make sure that everyone is vaccinated and protected against this virus because our lives are in danger.] (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)