Philippine domestic carriers—Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific (CEB)—on Friday transported Covid-19 vaccines to several provinces as part of their contribution to the speedy distribution of life-saving jabs.
PAL said it carried 10,580 doses to Iloilo (PR2141); 17,480 doses to Cebu (PR1845); 6,600 doses to Bacolod (PR2129); 17,940 doses to Cotabato (PR2959); 8,940 doses to Butuan (PR2934); 2,680 doses to Tagbilaran (PR2773); and 6,900 doses to Tacloban (PR2983).
Earlier on Thursday, PAL flew 17,400 doses to Cagayan de Oro (PR2519); 21,600 doses to Davao (PR8811); 12,000 doses to Legazpi (PR2923); and 4,200 doses to Cotabato (PR2959). PAL also flew 12,000 doses to Davao via PR8809 and 7,200 doses to Cebu via PR1845 last March 3.
So far, PAL has transported 145,520 vaccine doses to various parts of the country.
CEB, for its part, said it transported 21,000 doses of vaccines on Friday to Zamboanga and Tuguegarao, an airline news statement said.
The statement added that the vaccines arrived at the CEB Cargo warehouse at around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday. After its standard screening protocols, all 35 boxes (17 for Zamboanga, 18 for Tuguegarao) were stored in a 20-footer refrigerated carrier reefer van, equipped with cooling systems to preserve the condition of the vaccines.
A total of 21,000 doses were carried by Cebo, operator of Cebu Pacific’s turboprop fleet.
Upon arrival in Zamboanga City on Friday morning, the vaccines were turned over to the local government for proper handling, in preparation for distribution to medical facilities. The shipment for Tuguegarao is estimated to arrive by 3 p.m. also on Friday.
“We are happy to support the rollout of the government’s vaccination program. As a public service with the widest domestic network, we will do all we can to help ensure the timely and successful distribution of vaccines across the country, as we all work together to pave way for the recovery of our economy,” said Alex Reyes, president and CEO of Cebgo.