Mankayan mayor: Farmers first in Covid vaccination

By Redjie Melvic M. Cawis

MANKAYAN, Benguet—The mayor here said farmers will be prioritized in Covid-19 vaccination. 
    “We need to secure vaccines for our farmers to be able to establish food security “, Mayor Frenzel Ayong said during the Laging Handa Network Briefing News hosted by PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar.
    The mayor cited need to safeguard health and safety of farmers who are working hard to ensure food sufficiency even during the pandemic.    
    “Kailangan tuloy-tuloy ang galaw ng mga farmers natin to secure the provision of food para sa atin and sa other parts of the Philippines,” Ayong said.
    He added 80 percent of semi-temperate vegetable supply in the country comes from Benguet.
    He reported local farmers, despite being affected by the pandemic, have been donating their produce to people of Mankayan and other parts of Benguet including nearby areas. 
    In the national vaccination program, priority sectors to be immunized are frontline healthcare workers and vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens and indigents.
    Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said local governments play significant role in the Covid-19 vaccination program like identifying priority sectors to be vaccinated. -- PIA Cordillera