PPA eyes to vaccinate port workers in Q3 or Q4

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is planning to roll out a vaccination program for port workers in both the public and private sector, eyed to be implemented in the latter part of the year.

“Insofar as [the] PPA is concerned, we’re trying to work out a vaccination program for port workers at operators sa PPA terminals,” PPA general manager Jay Santiago said in a virtual press conference on Wednesday.

“Magkakaroon po tayo ng comprehensive vaccination program. Hopefully within the third or fourth quarter of the year,” he added.

The Ports chief said the PPA’s vaccination plan is separate from the Department of Health-led mass inoculation program.

“Hiwalay ito dun sa program ng DOH, program ito ng private sector,” Santiago said.

“Aasahan po natin na within third to fourth quarter this year, kapag pumasok na ang available na bakuna,” he said.

To recall, ports magnate Enrique Razon Jr.’s International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) announced plans to buy as many as two million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, which will be divided equally between government workers and frontliners, and workers in the logistics sector. — Ted Cordero/RSJ, GMA News