THE targeted number of tourism frontliners in Davao City to be jabbed with the Covid-19 vaccine increased to 14,000.
This was based on the data from Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) Head Generose Tecson, who previously said they are targeting to inoculate some 7,000.
The inoculation of tourism frontliners in Davao City, dubbed as “Bakuna by the Sea,” kicked off on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at the Waterfront Insular Hotel.
"We're truly happy kay (because) this is one of our ways forward for the tourism industry, ang maprotektahan ating (this is to protect our) tourism workers so that we can go on to the new normal, and start opening the industry," Tecson said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.
Workers in all primary and secondary tourism associations and allied services can avail themselves of the ongoing vaccination.
The official said media practitioners were also included as they belong to allied services.
"Yung media (The media is included), because [they're] really an integral part of tourism kasi [sila] nag-a-announce kung anong nangyayari sa atin (because they are announcing what is happening in our city)," she said.
Tecson said the first day of the tourism sector’s vaccination catered to 500 recipients, while 808 were vaccinated on the second day.
She said they are targeting to finish inoculating the remaining numbers so that they can prepare for the second dose.
The tourism head also urged tourism workers to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity.
Tecson said they are targeting to finish the rollout of the first dose next weekend.
Walk-ins are strictly prohibited, she said. Workers are also reminded to present their company certificate to prove their employment and vital government identification cards.
Meanwhile, Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat lauded the City Government of Davao and the Davao Tourism Association for working together in inoculating the city’s tourism workers.
“I encourage all our tourism frontliners working in isolation and quarantine facilities, transport, hotel employees, restaurant workers, tour guides, airport and airline employees, and police to avail the vaccine. Believe me, the sense of relief you will feel after you get your first dose is real. We are not just protecting ourselves but also people around us,” Puyat said in a video uploaded on the Davao City Tourism Facebook page.
She added that since tourism workers have to interact with so many different people face to face, their health and safety are of utmost importance.
According to the National Vaccine Deployment for Covid-19 of the Department of Health, tourism workers fall under Priority A4 Group or the frontline personnel in essential sectors.