“Get vaccinated or boosted” was the call of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), its agencies and the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) during the opening of the five-day vaccination drive at the Land Transportation Office-7 (LTO-7) Malasakit Center, N. Bacalso Ave., Cebu City on Feb. 7.

Registered public utility vehicle (PUV) operators, drivers and their families can now be vaccinated or receive booster shot during the five-day Arangkada Para Sa Bakuna at the LTO-77 Malasakit Center, LTO-7  Malasakit Licensing Office along N. Bacalso Ave., Cebu City.

The vaccination drive is initiated by the DOTr in cooperation with OPAV, LTO-7, and the Land Transportation Regulatory and Franchising Board (LTFRB-7).

This is also in partnership with the Visayas Vaccinations Operations Center (VVOC), Department of Health (DOH-7), Cebu City Health Department, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT-7).

DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Atty. Mark Steven Pastor said the activity is “part of our continuing efforts to help ensure the health and safety of all our stakeholders as we ramp up our bid to finally put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

In his video message, Pastor stressed the need for everyone to get involved in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

DOTr has partnered with government agencies as well as the private sector to bring vaccines to all Filipinos, he added.

“Without their help and cooperation, the government will not be successful in this fight. Indeed, great things are achieved when we join hands and work together,” Pastor said.

Undersecretary Anthony Gerard “Jonji” Gonzales, who delivered the keynote speech during the opening of the vaccination drive, emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated as a way to end the pandemic and revive the economy. 

“We have to continue to open and the only way to open the economy is to be vaccinated. We have to transition from pandemic to endemic,” Gonzales pointed out.

He noted that Cebu’s experience with the Omicron variant showed that those who are fully vaccinated only experienced mild symptoms such as cold, cough, fever and body aches.

They only stayed home for two to three days and just took the needed medicines, he added.

“We have to learn to live with COVID-19. Enough with the lockdown,” Gonzales said, adding that only by having everyone vaccinated can the economy open safely.

However, he stressed the need for continued observance of health protocols such as wearing of masks, frequent handwashing, and eating only in well-ventilated areas with good airflow.

LTO-7 Regional Director Victor Caindec, who delivered the welcome address, said the Malasakit Lounge is inspired by OPAV’s Malasakit Center.

The country’s first Malasakit Center located at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center was initiated by OPAV.

“Today at the vaccination drive of the DOTr, we are proud and happy to participate in this important activity,” Caindec said.

LTFRB-7 Regional Director Eduardo Montealto also reiterated the importance of vaccination for the safety and security of all.

He urged stakeholders to be fully vaccinated and get booster shots.

The first two days of the vaccination drive, Feb. 7-8, were exclusive for registered operators, drivers and their families.

However, it will be open to the public from February 9 to 11, 2022.

First, second, and booster doses of Sinovac and AstraZeneca brands will be available during the said vaccination drive that will be held at 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Cebu City Health Department assures a 1,000-vaccinee daily capacity for the campaign.

Those who would like to be scheduled for vaccination may fill up the form provided in this link: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSchV4x.../viewform and a staff will reach out for scheduling. (PR)