Employees of the Department of Agrarian Reform Negros Occidental received free flu vaccines from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) at DAR Provincial Office in Loreta Chang Building, BS Aquino Drive in Bacolod City on December 21.
The initiative aims to protect employees from the sudden increase in cases of respiratory disease or respiratory influenza-like illness (ILI), and the so-called “walking pneumonia” a type of ILI that is currently reported to have 4 confirmed cases here in the Philippines.
According to OIC-Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) Engr. Arnulfo Figueroa, the vaccination will give employees protection and peace of mind in their fear of having the disease since the majority of the employees are usually in the field, now, they can work more efficiently in providing good service to the public.
“Even if vaccinated, it is still necessary to be careful, vigilant, and follow the government’s guidelines,” Figueroa said in a statement.
Recently, Memorandum 517 was released advising everyone to wear a mask inside and outside the office, in hallways, corridors, and particularly inside elevators, this is to protect not just themselves but also to protect their loved ones and the people they interact with, he added.
Flu vaccines were given to 82 recipients, 76 of whom were employees and six were outsiders.
Among the nursing staff who administered the flu vaccination from the PHO were Evangeline Tumpag, Carlo Miguel Jaranilla, and Crislyn Mae Gepigon, assisted by the personnel and staff from the Personnel Section.
Another batch of DAR employees will have to undergo flu vaccination next year, especially those assigned to various DAR Municipal Offices in the southern part of Negros Occidental.*
