SAN FERNANDO CITY, May 2 (PIA) -- In line with the celebration of Labor Day 2021, the Department of Health, in partnership with the Department of the Labor and Employment-Regional Field Office 1 (DOLE-RFO1) administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines among 10 persons under the A4 Priority Group in Region 1.

This after the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases granted on Tuesday the request of DOLE to allocate 5,000 doses of vaccines for the minimum wage workers and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) across the country who are also in the frontline services.

The ceremonial inoculation of the first dose in the Ilocos Region was held at the City Health Office here on Saturday.

According to Atty. Evelyn Ramos, regional director of DOLE RFO-1, this is a manifestation of how the government recognizes the great importance of the labor sector especially those who belong in said group.

"Nakita ng pamahalaan na importante na mabakunahan 'yong mga minimum wage workers at OFWs na nasa frontline at kailangan din silang maprioritize dahil sa kanilang essential servcices," Ramos said.

In the region, identified recipients were security personnel from both private and government offices in La Union.

Among the vaccinees is Sonny Macanas, a security officer of a business process outsourcing company.

He said that this is indeed a good opportunity for them to get vaccinated and be protected from acquiring the virus.

"Hindi lang ito para sa kaligtasan ko laban sa COVID-19 pero para na rin sa aking pamilya, kaibigan, katrabaho, at iba pang kasama sa komunidad," he stated.

Meanwhile, Director Ramos hopes that through this activity, they were able to inform the public that vaccines are safe; hence, encourages workers who belong in the A4 priority group to support the vaccination program of the government.

"Through this activity, we would like the public to know that it is safe to be vaccinated," she said.

She added, "Hinihikayat natin ang mga manggagawang Pilipino na magpabakuna kapag dumating na po 'yong oras nila para mabakunahan para makamit na natin ang herd immunity." (JCR/AMB/CGRC, PIA La Union)