DILG exec urges LGUs to educate public about COVID vaccines

An official from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday called on local government units to properly educate their constituents about the Philippines' vaccination program.

During the CODE Team Visit in Pasig City, Undersecretary Epimaco Densing said the public must have proper information about COVID-19 vaccines so that they will be encouraged to get inoculated.

"Kailangan mapaliwanag po nila ito nang mabuti, maintindihan ng mga kababayan at importante po dito magkaroon sila ng kumpiyansa sa vaccines that we are bringing in," Densing said.

Misinformation about COVID-19 vaccine is also rampant at present, according to Densing.

"Right now, marami hong fake news na lumalabas at ;pag di natin 'to na-verify at na-explain sa ating kababayan, maaaring mawalan ng kumpiyansa ang ating mga kababayan," Densing said.

He also stressed that there is no room for mistakes on the government's vaccination program as this is the most important measure in curbing the spread of the virus that infected thousands of individuals.

"Binibigyang-diin ko po na hindi tayo puwedeng magkamali dito sa national immunization program natin. ito ang importanteng pamamaraan para matigil natin, malabanan ang COVID-19 na gumugulo sa ating bayan at sa ibang bansa," Densing said.

COVID-19 vaccines are expected to arrive in the country by next month.

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. has said the national government is trying to address the fears of Filipinos against vaccination through an information campaign. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News