MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--As a new coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 variant named Omicron was discovered, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) through the Ministry of Health (MOH) appeals to the public to get vaccinated now that it poses a threat of entering into the country.

“Nagbabadya ang bagong variant na omicron. This is very dangerous… 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 isang Pilipino ay bakunado at protektado sa virus na ito dahil nanganganib ang ating buhay,” said Health Minister Dr. Bashary Latiph in the launching of the three-day aggressive nationwide vaccination drive dubbed Bayanihan, Bakunahan.

[The new omicron variant is threatening. This is very dangerous… We really do not know when this will arrive and I hope this omicron variant does not enter our country. But before that enters, we should make sure that each Filipino is vaccinated and protected from this virus because our life is in danger.]

Latiph reiterated that the pandemic does not end yet as new variants spring and affect the world, including the alpha, beta and delta variants, among others.

With the existence of these, he stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic remains a minacious challenge that takes part in the human crisis given its severe health and socio-economic consequences leading to lockdowns and ‘no movement on Sunday’ policy.

Latiph firmly conveyed that this has to end in the soonest possible time and such can be done through the national vaccination days which will at least intensify and maximize healthcare workers and different departments of the government to converge in vaccinating the citizenry.

“Ito ay para sa ating lahat para bumalik tayo sa ating ekonomiya at normal na pamumuhay [This is for all of us so that we can get back our economy and return to our normal lives]. As we all know that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption and hardships in many aspects of our lives and it has continued weighing heavy in our national economy,” he said.

The health minister hoped that when the year 2022 enters, herd immunity is attained with 70% of Filipinos immunized, believing this is the only means to get through this global health crisis.

The BARMM government underscored that the vaccination will still go on even after the national vaccination days and citizens must not lean on fake news, rather, they should believe in scientific studies and take advantage of this vaccination opportunity as they do not have excuses anymore considering vaccine supply in the Bangsamoro region is sufficient with almost all brands of vaccines offered, and 600 to 700 vaccination sites opened with adequate manpower. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)