“Nanay knows best.” Vice Governor Maricar Zamora of Davao de Oro advised the local communication team for the COVID-19 vaccine information drive to also reach out to the mothers.
“Alam natin na sa usaping health sa pamilya, ang Nanay ang nagdedesisyon tungkol sa (kung) anong gawin sa kanilang anak,” Vice Governor Zamora explained. With series of virtual BIDA Bakunation in the province, Zamora felt the need to maximize more the information drive targeting this sector utilizing not online platforms but community radios.
“Ipalaganap pa natin ang ating information drive sa pamamagitan ng mga programa gamit ang mga community radio kasi mas nakikinig sa radyo ang ating nanay, (halimbawa) habang sila ay naglalaba,” she said.
On February 5, the Provincial Information Office of Davao de Oro, the Philippine Information Agency XI, and the Department of Health rolled out the BIDA Bakunation highlighting the government’s vaccine program through zoom and Facebook live stream. Involved the program were frontliners, local government units, and other stakeholders.
On February 16-19, Compostela Valley State College featured BIDA Bakunation in the General Orientation for Teachers and Students for its four campuses.
The vice governor added that if explained thoroughly, the mothers might ease some of the worries, and fears in the household about COVID-19 vaccine.
As of now, Vice Governor Zamora said that the provincial government is doing its best to prepare for the coming of the vaccines.
One February 19, the province conducted a Simulation Exercise from the withdrawal of the vaccines from Provincial Health Office in Barangay Cabidianan, Nabunturan to the Provincial Rehabilitation Center in Barangay Sta. Maria, the identified vaccination area.
(Michael Uy | Michael Manguhig, RPN DXKT Davao OIC)