Bohol town SK chair to youth: Follow 

legit sources for vaccine info

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, May 7 (PIA) -- "It is important that you follow legitimate trusted sources and verified accounts that talk about corona virus disease (COVID-19) vaccines."

This was the advise of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation president of San Miguel town, June Reign Reyes, who was the guest during the Network Briefing News interview on May 6.

Both Reyes and San Miguel Mayor Virgilio Mendez shared their efforts and the local initiatives they are doing which have contributed to the town's success in containing COVID-19 transmission and in keeping the people safe from the fatal viral disease.

Faced with the problem of apprehensions among the young people when it comes to COVID-19 vaccination due to unverified information on social media, Reyes sees this as a cause for concern even as she saw some other youth who have gained positive perspective and are willing to get vaccinated given the chance.

By legitimate sources and verified accounts about the vaccines, Reyes is referring to the Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization.

“Besides, it’s important to verify before we share, to stop circulating the apprehensions that are unfounded,” she said.

Although admitting it is a tough job to calm the fear among the youth, she shared that among the things that could help the youth in facing fear would be accurate information and education.

“Last March, the youth of San Miguel had a Youth Leadership Summit in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Among the topics discussed was COVID-19 vaccines and this was done by a speaker from the DOH,” she said.

“She informed and taught us about the vaccines and it made a great impact kasi nawala at nabawasan man lang ang takot about the vaccines,” she stressed.

As to fighting fake news in general, she said “it starts with who you follow, who you listen to, and who you trust.”

Determined to have all the young people in the town to get vaccinated, in view of the mayor's aim for compulsory vaccination, Reyes said their mayor is an ideal model.

Mendez was among the Bohol mayors who volunteered to avail of the vaccine shot ahead to dissipate fears among the residents and show to his constituents that getting the vaccine is safe.

“The mayor had been a great model. He got vaccinated and (showed) nothing bad happened,” Reyes said.

As to the town's stance on compulsory vaccination, Reyes said she supports it so they could quickly attain herd immunity.

During the rollout, majority of the SK and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams were vaccinated.

Admitting there are still young people who are hesitatant to be vaccinated, she said many have gained a wider perspective and are willing to be vaccinated given the chance.

Reyes leads the town's young leaders in reaching out to youth in their "Komusta ka, Estorya ta" advocacy campaign to get the youth talking about their issues and concerns, especially those that affect their body and mental health. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

CHOOSE WHO YOU FOLLOW. San Miguel SK Federation Chairperson June Reign Reyes urging the young people in her town to be careful about who to follow on social media so they can get only the right information. (PIA Bohol)

Bohol town mayor wants compulsory

vaccination for residents

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, May 6 (PIA) -- San Miguel Mayor Virgilio Mendez wants the anti-coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination to be compulsory for his town residents.

This was disclosed by the mayor during the Network Briefing News interview aired across the government stations and media platforms on May 6.

The mayor said the fears from fake claims on vaccination circulating on social media platforms weigh less than the chance of his people to be well and healthy.

“We want the vaccination to be compulsory,” the mayor, who was once director of the National Bureau of Investigation, said.

While San Miguel has a track record of 45 active cases of COVID-19 since March of last year, 44 have recovered with one fatality.

But the town has learned its lessons well and has been hailed among Bohol’s best in fighting and containing COVID-19, according to Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction management Officer Anthony Damalerio.

The vaccination program has since started rolling out, and some priority groups of the town have already received their first and second doses, which allowed local authorities to gather early feedback.

“Most of the Sangguniang Kabataan presidents are members of the Barangay Health and Emergency Response Teams (BHERT). We are among the priority groups, so we have neen vaccinated. As for the other youth, many are still hesitant, but still, many have wider perspectives,” revealed San Miguel SK Federated President June Reign Reyes.

Reyes along with the other SK chairpersons from the town's 18 barangays have been going around to convince residents to avail of the vaccination.

"Information and education would work for them," Reyes assured.

But while the government desires to reach 70 percent of the local population inoculated to gain full protection against the fatal virus, the mayor said those who still harbor fears over being vaccinated should put their doubts aside for their own safety.

“Hindi pwede dito sa mga kasamahan namin sa bayan na magpika-pika sila because this is for their own good,” he said during the interview hosted by Network Briefing anchor Presidential Communications and Operations Office Asec. JV Arcena.

For the town to completely beat COVID-19, the mayor believes getting full protection is the solution.

“Alam mo na mahirap kami dito. The only way probably that we can continue our efforts to improve our standard of living is that the people must be always healthy,” Mendez said.

“We have to grab this opportunity otherwise we will be left behind. Kaya i-compulsory namin (ang vaccination) dito,” the mayor continued.

The mayor also acknowledged that there are sectors who do not want to push for it.

To them, he said “they have to understand also that the government has the fundamental duty to protect the welfare and health of our people here in San Miguel.” (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

FROM BOHOL TO THE WORLD. San Miguel Mayor Virgilio Mendez (L) sharing his town's small successes against COVID-19 during the Network Briefing interview. (PIA Bohol)