Indigenous leader says tribe in Basey, Samar not ready for COVID-19 jabs

TACLOBAN CITY –– Members of an indigenous tribe in Basey town in Samar are not yet ready to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Jennifer Cabadungan, leader and spokesperson of the Mamanwa tribe in Barangay Guirang, said they were hesitant to get inoculated due to the possible side effects on them.

“While the vaccine offered by our government is meant to give protection against COVID-19, we are not ready to be vaccinated,” she said.

“We don’t know what will be its effects on us, our bodies, especially to our elders. So for now, we are not open to it,” she added.

At present, 28 Mamanwa families consisting of over 80 individuals live in Guirang.

Cabadungan said no member of their tribe was affected by the virus since the start of the pandemic.

“When the pandemic started in March (of last year), we temporarily abandoned our houses and went to our farms to ensure that we will be safe from possible infection,” she said.

The farms she was referring to are located within their sitio, which is far from their houses.

Cabadungan said they follow health protocols, like wearing a face mask, especially if they go out of their village.

Mercy Caboboy, information officer of Basey town, said while they understood why the tribe members are hesitant to be inoculated, they need to receive the vaccine to protect them from COVID-19.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported that as of May 20, 132,205 COVID-19 doses had been vaccinated in the region.

On Monday, May 26, the DOH reported 121 new patients, bringing the region’s total to 20,142. It includes 825 active cases and 18,905 recoveries.

LZB