TWO Davao City officials supported the initiative of Barangay Lasang in Bunawan District to have a household tagging or mapping of their residents that are already fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Barangay Lasang Captain Allan Simo-ag said they initiated the vaccination tagging to help them identify those who have already completed their two doses of the vaccine and those who have not yet been vaccinated.
"We are striving to make ways, aside from the consistent public information, to encourage residents to avail of the vaccination program," Simo-ag said.
The tagging started on July 8 when they already placed stickers to a total of 274 households as of Wednesday, July 14, according to the barangay council.
The barangay prepared 1,000 stickers that will be placed on the houses with fully vaccinated members. These include the name of the vaccine recipient and the status of the shots taken.
Simo-ag said the vaccination tagging is also their way to entice their residents to have themselves vaccinated.
The barangay head said they continue to explain the positive effects of getting vaccinated to those residents who still have apprehension of getting vaccinated.
Based on the Davao City Covid-19 Risk Assessment Map from July 5 to 10, Lasang is classified as a moderate-risk village.
Covid-19 Task Force Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser said in a radio interview on Wednesday, July 14, that the barangay's initiative is a "smart move" to help the city in its target to achieve a huge number of target vaccinees.
Schlosser said it would also be a good idea if other barangays would adopt this initiative.
"That would give the public encouragement na 'Uy! Na-vaccinate na ako silingan, ako wala pa'," she said.
She added that this also gives opportunity to those who have not yet been vaccinated to be educated.
"Sobrang brilliant niyan. It also gives us the opportunity to know kung sinong hindi na-vaccin[ate], we can educate them more. Kasi alam natin sino hindi pa na-vaccin[ate], alam natin sino pa ang i-convince natin (It is a brilliant idea. It gives us the opportunity to identify those who have not been vaccinated and educated them)," Schlosser said.
The Covid-19 Task Force official said the tagging system is not meant to discriminate against those who have not yet been vaccinated.
"Well, hindi natin maiiwasan there are people who would think that way, but if we will look into the brighter side of things, it is not," she said, adding that this will only allay the fears of those who are still hesitant of fearing the vaccine.
Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) Head Angel Sumagaysay, in a radio interview, also supported tagging households that are already fully vaccinated.
Sumagaysay recalled this was suggested in the previous Task Force meeting, and the body will look into the possible legal implications.
He said the Liga ng Barangay is also aware of this proposal.
He also said the initiative of Barangay Lasang will also have a positive impact to other barangays.
Sumagaysay said this might even entice those who have not yet been vaccinated to register for the vaccination program.
"Kung gusto nato makab-ot ang herd immunity, makisama ang tanan. Pero wala kini pugsanay (Let’s work together to achieve herd community. But let’s be clear that we are not forcing anyone to be vaccinated)," he said. (With reports from Jeepy P. Compio)