Barangay officials and tanods (watchmen) who are at the frontlines in the war against COVID-19 should be prioritized in the government’s ongoing vaccination program as their work frequently exposes them to the risk of getting infected.
This was the appeal of Deputy Speaker Benny Abante Jr., who on Monday said that the national government “has depended on our barangay officials this past year to implement its directives with regard to the pandemic, such as the strict community quarantines.”
“Later on, when vaccines are administered to the public, they will again be tapped to assist in this endeavor. Since that is the case, we have to recognize that all barangay workers––not just barangay health personnel––require these vaccines.”
“In our communities, barangay officials have been outside doing their jobs from the first days of the lockdown––distributing aid, monitoring COVID cases in their localities, keeping order and ensuring that health protocols like social distancing are being followed in their areas,” explained the Manila 6th District representative.
“Unfortunately, I have received reports from our Liga ng Barangay that in the conduct of their duties, barangay officials have contracted COVID and have even died from the disease. Given what they are being tasked to do, they need the protection that can be provided by vaccines.”
According to Abante, “the Enhanced Community Quarantine now in place in Metro Manila just emphasizes the crucial role our barangay officials and tanods play in efforts to contain COVID-19.”
“Later on, when vaccines are administered to the public, they will again be tapped to assist in this endeavor. Since that is the case, we have to recognize that all barangay workers––not just barangay health personnel––require these vaccines.”
In many cases, said Abante, barangay workers assist barangay health workers in the latter’s tasks, so they are exposed to the same risks.
“On the ground, lahat naman sila sa barangay ay mino-mobilize na rin ng ating mga LGUs, kaya masmainam na maisama sila sa priority ng pagbabakuna,” he added.
“In our communities, barangay officials have been outside doing their jobs from the first days of the lockdown––distributing aid, monitoring COVID cases in their localities, keeping order and ensuring that health protocols like social distancing are being followed in their areas.”
The lawmaker lamented the growing number of cases of individuals violating the vaccine priority list, and urged the government to strictly monitor the deployment of vaccines and to address the root cause of the issue: delays in the arrival of vaccines.
“What we have is a dangerous confluence of factors. We have a surge in cases, so we have a public that is fearful for their lives, plus growing impatience with the slow pace of the roll-out of the vaccines,” warned the solon.
“If neither is addressed, our countrymen will become desperate, and they may be willing to do everything––bribe, buy on the black market, or steal––to get vaccinated. Wag dapat hayaan ng gobyerno na umabot sa ganitong punto.”