Better Christmas...
year,” said Galvez.
“If you would recall, President Duterte made a promise of a better Christmas this year. With the continuous decline in COVID-19 cases wherein the positivity rate is now less than three percent, we are certain that the promise of the President will be fulfilled,” he added.
The aggressive vaccination initiated by the national government was considered by health experts as the game changer in the country's response to the pandemic. It resulted in the decline of COVID cases nationwide and also elevated the global ranking of the Philippines in terms of COVID response.
The Philippines has recorded an average daily caseload of below 500 over the past several days, which is a significant drop from the thousands of daily cases registered during the surge of Delta variant infections just a few months ago.
But with the country’s expanded vaccination rollout and more responsive pandemic response and mitigation measures, the government has managed to bring down the nation’s infection rate to a threshold set by the World Health Organization.
As of Dec. 7, the Philippines has already administered a total of 93,687,341 vaccine doses. Of this number, 53,841,469 have been given as first doses while 39,236,194 have been administered to complete vaccination.
Galvez said he is confident the Philippines will achieve population protection before the year ends by realizing its target of fully vaccinating at least 54 million Filipinos.
“The highly successful first phase of Bayanihan, Bakunahan has not only brought us closer to our goal of population protection against COVID-19, it has also demonstrated what remarkable feats we can achieve if we are united, and working in solidarity,” Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said, quoting President Duterte.
“This huge success was made possible by our frontliners, government agencies, local government units, private partners and the general public who worked together to vaccinate millions of Filipinos throughout the country. We honor your heroism,” added the Palace official.
The national government earlier announced that it is mounting another leg of NVD from Dec. 15 to 17 as part of its efforts to further scale up the vaccination throughput of local government units nationwide.
“As we launch the second phase of Bayanihan, Bakunahan, let us demonstrate the same enthusiasm, cooperation and resolve that made the first phase a success. Let us work to reach every unvaccinated Filipino so that we can give them the protection they need to stay in good health,” the Chief Executive said via Nograles.
Through Nograles, Duterte thanked the government's private sector partners in the vaccination campaign during the recognition ceremony of the Bayanihan, Bakunahan event on Thursday, Dec. 9.
We sincerely acknowledge all your efforts in helping government overcome this pandemic. May this event further inspire our people to uphold their civic duty in curbing the spread of the coronavirus and in keeping our communities safe and health.
Feted during Thursday's rites were the local government units (LGUs) that administered the highest number of jabs during the three-day national vaccination days: the Calabarzon region, the Province of Laguna, Cebu City, the Municipality of Tanza, the Municipality of Rodriguez, and the Municipality of Arayat.
Also commended were the Province of Tawi-Tawi and General Santos City for the highest improvement in their average jab rate between their pre national days accomplishment to their output during the three-day national activity.
Galvez said he is hopeful that government line agencies, LGUs (local government units) and private sector partners will be able to replicate the success of the first NVD so that more Filipinos will be protected nationwide against the virus. (With a report from Ellson A. Quismorio)