Pfizer vaccines allocated for Roxas City OFWs, seafarers

By Felipe V. Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The first batch of Pfizer vaccines that recently arrived here were allocated for outbound Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s), seafarers and organ transplant patients.

Mayor Ronnie Dadivas said the city government, in consultations with other concerned government agencies and private sectors, decided to give 125 doses of Pfizer Vaccine delivered by the Department of Health (DOH) to the said sectors.

Dadivas said 110 doses will be reserved for OFWs and seafarers bound for USA, Europe, Canada and UAE, while the remaining 15 doses are intended for Organ Transplant patients.

The first to be inoculated are those who have plane tickets, working visas and contracts whose flight are scheduled within four months.

Dadivas is calling the said sectors to proceed to the Roxas City Hall ground and bring documents:

(a) Overseas Employment Contract

(b) Seaman’s Book for seafarers

(c) and other documents proving that he or she will be leaving for work abroad within four months.

“It’s first come, first serve basis and should be personal,” the mayor said.

Dadivas assured that there will be no favoritism in the administration of the vaccines.

“Ginatinguhaan ko guid nga masabat ang kinahanglanon sang tanan nga sector amo ina ang rason nga sa OFWs ko guinhatag ang ini nga brand sang bakuna tungod sila ang mas nagakinahanglan sini. Tanan patas. Wala palakasan, wala pinilian, tanan nagpila first come, first served” he said in a press conference Tuesday.

Seafarer Mark Ladrillo said the city’s move was well timed as he is due to return to his work. His company required that he get vaccinated by Pfizer jabs.

“Ang required sa amon kumpaniya amo ni ang Pfizer. Gin-grab namon ini nga oportunidad nga magpila para sa Pfizer Vaccine. Daku nga bulig sa amon nga mga Seafarers. Wala sang pinasahi. Kon sino lang makadto kag magpila. Wala sang pili. Thank you, kay, Mayor Ronnie” Ladrillo said.

Brothers Wilbet and Arnel Araque of Balijuagan village said they are thankful that the city government prioritized them in the Pfizer vaccine rollout.

“Aga pa kami mga 6 am nagkadto para magpila sa City Hall para makauna kami sa pila. August na amon lakat. Nagapasalamat guid kami kay Mayor nga ginhatagan niya kami prayoridad kay amo ni ang amon kinahanglan guid,” the Araque brothers said.