MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) started the COVID-19 vaccination of its employees on Thursday, with a total of 258 officials and personnel receiving their first dose at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City.
The vaccination of DOTr employees is in line with the directive of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to inoculate the majority of 900 workers of the department, according to Transportation Undersecretary for Administrative Service Artemio Tuazon Jr.
“Even before the vaccine roll-out for A4 category, matagal nang gusto ni Sec. Art Tugade na mabakunahan lahat ng mga tauhan natin na willing o may gusto. Target natin na mabakunahan ang majority ng DOTr personnel,” Usec. Tuazon said in a statement.
(Even before the vaccine roll-out for the A4 category, Sec. Art Tugade already wanted to vaccinate the employees who are willing to be inoculated. Their target is to vaccinate the majority of the DOTr personnel.)
Transportation Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Reinier Paul Yebra, along with Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns Manuel Gonzales, and Assistant Secretary for Planning and Project Development Maria Sheilah Napalang were among those who have received the vaccine.
Tugade earlier noted that the protection of the public against the virus will pave the way for the recovery of the country.
According to Tuazon, around 516 personnel have voluntarily registered for the department’s vaccination drive, which is half of the total number of the agency’s personnel. He added that some of the employees opted to get vaccinated in their respective local government units.
Meanwhile, the DOTr said 23 employees did not meet the criteria for vaccination and that the second batch of 258 employees will be scheduled to get vaccinated by early next week after a pre-assessment.
A total of 282 DOTr personnel have tested positive for COVID-19 since July last year. Of this number, 276 have already recovered, three have died and three are still active cases. Sofia Vertucio, trainee
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