Call to include media as vax priority backed

The National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) the country’s biggest organization of active members of the press, lauded the call of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, to include the members of the press in the list of government priorities to be inoculated with the anti-Covid-19 vaccines once these are already made available.

“Indeed, the recognition by Sen. Bong Go of the important role of the media in society and the sacrifices and contributions they are making in this period of pandemic should not be overlooked by the national government,” said NPC president, Paul M. Gutierrez of the Journal Group.

“Last year, when the government classified members of the press as APOR (Authorized Persons Outside of Residence) and given IDs and rapid passes so they can continue in helping the government in its information dissemination campaign related to Covid-19, this is already tacit admission that the media is indeed among the country’s ‘frontliners’ in the fight against the pandemic. The NPC thus commends Sen. Bong Go in reminding the national government of this little but vital fact in the course of his visit to Bukidnon last 16 February 2021,” Gutierrez added.

“Along this line, rest assured that the NPC is willing to mobilize and alert its over 20 affiliate local media organizations all over the country to be ready for further development as regards the proposal of Sen. Bong Go.

“The NPC stands ready to cooperate with relevant agencies of the government to facilitate the vaccination of all its members and other media workers once the vaccines are made available.

“We also encourage the public to put their faith in the safety and efficacy of the vaccines being procured by the government on everybody’s behalf; inoculation is the best way for the entire country to swiftly recover from the devastations and dislocations that Covid-19 has caused to our economy and in our daily lives,” Gutierrez also said.