PASAY CITY -- Senator Cynthia Villar and daughter Rep. Camille Villar were honored by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) for their assistance in the vaccination of Filipino seafarers.

Through Sen. Villar and Rep. Villar, MARINA used the family-owned The Villar Tent in South Global City, Las Piñas, as vaccination site in giving jabs to their seafarers.

On every scheduled dates, an average of 1,000 seafarers per day were inoculated with Western vaccines like Pfizer, Moderna and Jansen at The Villar Tent.

Seafarers got their shots from June to August at the fully-airconditioned and spacious The Villar Tent wherein health protocols imposed by the Department Health and IATF were strictly observed.

In a simple ceremony last August 26, Sen. Villar and Rep. Villar were given Plaque of Recognition in acknowledging and appreciating their valuable support for the vaccination of Filipino seafarers. The plaques were given by MARINA Administrator VADM Robert Empredad, (AFP Ret.) who earlier sought the help of the Villars for the use of The Villar Tent.

The Villar Tent is the only privately-owned venue used in the vaccination rollout for Filipino seafarers. The two others are the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) Central at the Port Area, Manila, and the Office of the Associated Marine's Officers' and Seamen's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) in Intramuros, Manila.

Sen. Villar and Rep. Villar are thankful that in their small little way, they were of help to our seafarers and the country's maritime industry.

A staunch advocate of Overseas Filipino Workers, Sen. Villar acknowledged the contributions of seamen to keep our economy afloat amid the pandemic.

With the vaccines, she noted that Filipino seafarers, whose earnings were disrupted following the shutdown operations of the shipping industry, can now go back to their ship. "They can now return to their job and provided for the needs of their families," said Sen. Villar who also noted that the maritime sector was among those hardest hit by the coronavirus.

The Villars guaranteed their family is always ready to help the government in its fight against Covid-19.

The family has also been allowing the use of their other buildings as quarantine and isolation facilities for mild and moderate Covid-19 patients. They have also been providing temporary shelter for our health workers to guarantee the safety of their family members and loved ones against the virus. "We need to help the government in any way we can especially that we are in a pandemic. We are currently facing a very difficult battle," emphasized Sen. Villar.

The Villars have also been donating medical and laboratory equipment to Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center. "Coping up with the coronavirus should be collective efforts of the government and the private sector," also said the senator who has also been distributing face masks, face shields and alcohol to the general public. (OSCV)