Mayor Beng Climaco has asked the national government to begin the vaccination of essential workers under the A4 vaccination category.

“Hinihiling po namin na masagawa na po ang pagbukas ng A4 [priority category],” Mayor Climaco said during an interview with the national state media.

The A4 priority category includes frontline personnel in essential sectors, including uniformed personnel. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) also defined the A4 category as those working in sectors with “high levels of interaction with or exposure to the public” and economic sectors.

Mayor Climaco also thanked President Rodrigo Duterte and members of the national IATF for prioritizing Zamboanga City for vaccination.

Vaccination for A2 and A3 is currently ongoing and the city government has continually urged residents to register for vaccination through their barangay health centers or through the www.zambocovax.com registration site.

The A2 category covers senior citizens while A3 includes people with comorbidities. The A1 category, the first priority group to be vaccinated, covers healthcare workers.

Mayor Climaco expressed hope for the continued and smooth rollout of vaccination not only for Zamboanga City, but the entire Zamboanga Peninsula region which is currently under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).  (Jasmine Mohammadsali)