PNP prepares plan for escorting COVID-19 vaccines, inoculation teams

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has already come up with an implementing plan in escorting COVID-19 vaccines and inoculation teams, its spokesperson Police Brigadier General Ildebrandi Usana said Wednesday.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB , Usana said that separate simulation exercises will be conducted at different arrival time of the vaccines.

“Meron na pong implementing plan ang PNP. May kanya-kanya pong simulation exercises na mangyayari depende po sa arrival time,” he said.

Asked if the police will escort the vaccines and the teams from the airport to actual administration of the shots to recipients, Usana said it will depend on the arrangement between agencies.

Usana said the PNP is opening its camps to be used as vaccination sites to accommodate more people.

“Ito po ang isa sa mga binabalangkas. Base din po sa simulation kasi ‘yung time and motion, napakahalaga po ‘yan dahil yung sensitivity nitong mga vaccine is one of the considerations,” he added.

Citing the efficient simulation in Metro Manila, Usana said they are expecting the same with other areas.

“May implementing plans ang bawat unit ng PNP so we are anticipating na similarly ‘yung efficiency will also be done doon sa iba-ibang areas,” he said.

Asked about the possible closure of some roads for the smooth delivery of vaccines, Usana said they  will leave the decision to inter-agency units. He said personnel from Highway Patrol Group will help.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered the police to secure COVID-19 vaccines and inoculation teams to avoid possible disruption.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte asked the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to allow the free and safe transport of COVID-19 vaccines particularly in areas where they have a degree of influence.

On Tuesday, the CPP promised it will but urged the government not to use military vehicles to deliver it.

DILG spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya slammed the CPP for setting the condition. For Malaya, the condition of the CPP is threatening the delivery of the vaccines in conflict-affected areas.

In line with this, Usana said it is being considered that the people residing in far-flung areas especially in places with armed conflict will be taken out of their communities during the vaccination rollout.

“Ang pinag-uusapan din kung kinakailangan ‘yung mamamayan na nandun sa mga kanayunan, sila po ay tutulungan maibaba para hindi naman po sila mahirapan na pag-akyat nito pong mga vaccines. Baka magkaroon pa ng problema later ano pagdating sa delivery notwithstanding ‘yung security dimension,” he said.

“So ito po most likely ang ilan sa mga kino-consider pagdating po doon sa cooperation among the Armed Forces of the Philippines, PNP, and other agencies,” he added.—AOL, GMA News