Catholic church to open its doors for vaccination roll-out; Caceres meets Naga City mayor
MANILA – The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), in its latest plenary assembly, agreed to open church doors and other related facilities to support the government’s efforts in its vaccine roll-out.
Speaking at the first virtual press conference Thursday morning, CBCP President and Davao Archbishop Romulo G. Valles and Vice President and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio S. David said the bishops agreed to help in the government’s campaign to inoculate at least 70 percent of the population.
Both Archbishop Valles and Bishop David said to show their support for the vaccination program, they are willing to be vaccinated as soon as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Philippine government approve vaccines for use in the country.
“The bishops decided to offer, if needed, church facilities to be vaccination centers and use facilities related to vaccination activities to help the government in its massive and challenging program,” Archbishop Valles said.
Bishop David said they are partnering with local government units and will do anything to allay fears on vaccination.
“We are willing to help,” Bishop David said.
Over in Malacañang, Presidential Spokesman Secretary Harry Roque said they welcome the offer of the Catholic churches to open churches and related facilities for the vaccination program.
“Siyempre po, the more facilities we have, the better,” Secretary Roque added.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona met with Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion accompanied by several priests and media workers to prepare for the vaccination program in the Archdiocese of Caceres, initially with Naga City.
“They agreed to help each other for an effective vaccine information drive, and the opening of churches and pastoral centers as possible vaccine sites,” Fr. Louie Occiano, Caceres Social Communications Director said.
Archbishop Tirona and Mayor Legacion agreed to be vaccinated together with other local government officials and members of the clergy to dispel fear of the vaccine among the residents. (Melo M. Acuña)
Caceres Archbishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona (center, in white shirt) meets with Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion, some members of the clergy and the media and planned how to go about the vaccine rollout. (Supplied Photo/Caceres Social Communications Ministry)