Intensifying its campaign against COVID-19, the Department of the Interior and Local Government MIMAROPA officially launched the BIDA ang May Disiplina: Solusyon sa COVID-19 campaign, February 22, 2021.
The campaign which is anchored on the theme “Ligtas ang Pamilya, Ligtas ang Bayan”, intends to promote behavioral change among individuals through the spirit of discipline as one of the key solutions in reducing virus transmission.
It is also a way of enjoining the public to practice minimum public health standards espoused in the BIDA acronym:
B – Bawal walang mask at face shield
I – I-sanitize ang mga kamay, iwas hawak sa mga bagay
D – Dumistansya ng isang metro
A – Alamin ang tamang impormasyon
In a message RD Wilhelm Suyko of DILG MIMAROPA stressed the importance of religiously complying with the minimum health protocols and recognized the roles of each employee in the intensive campaign to prevent the spread of infection.
“To our field men and women who serve as the extension of the Department on the ground, we are confident that you would be able to lead our people in advocating positive behaviors and incorporate the Disiplina Muna campaign in every program that you implement”, said RD Suyko.
The launching also gave way for the Disiplina Muna regional ambassadors to convey their message to the public by encouraging them to practice BIDA.
“Ang programang ito ay nakasentro sa disiplina sa sarili at ‘yong pagbabago ng asal na sya naman talagang kailangan natin sa epektibong paglaban sa COVID-19…Kaalinsabay po ng ating pamumuhay sa new normal ay ang patuloy na disiplina sa ating sarili na i-observe ang minimum health standards na prescribed ng WHO”, said Disiplina Muna Regional Ambassador and Naujan Municipal Mayor Mark Marcos.
Under the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-116, local government units are urged to promote discipline to be part of people’s habit and lifestyle by observing safety standards prescribed by World Health Organization (WHO).
Similarly, Disiplina Muna Regional Ambassador and Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco, Jr, enjoined the public to abide by the laws, rules, regulations, policies, and resolutions imposed by the authorities and immediately consult health officials for any symptoms related to COVID-19.
“Nobody is above the law. Lahat po tayo’y kailangang sumunod sa batas…Napaka importante po ng disiplina dahil ang mga batas, ordinansa, resolusyon, at executive orders ay ginawa para magkaroon ng kaayusan sa ating bayan at lalawigan”, Governor Velasco added.
During the launching, DOH MIMAROPA Regional Director Mario Baquilod also shared updates on the government’s vaccination program and COVID-19 situation in the region.
Based from the recent statistics, DOH MIMAROPA is continuously recording COVID-19 cases which can be attributed to inobservance of health standards.
Doctor Baquilod also presented the prioritization program of the government for the eligible population composed of Priority Eligible Group A and Group B. Among the priority eligible from group A include:
- Frontline health workers
- Indigent senior citizens
- Remaining senior citizens
- Remaining indigent population
- Uniformed personnel
For priority eligible group B, included are:
- Teachers, social workers
- Other government workers
- Other essential workers outside health, education, social welfare sectors
- Socio-demographic groups
- Overseas Filipino workers
- Other remaining workforce
- All remaining Filipino Citizens.
According to the three-year plan, all Filipino citizens will be vaccinated by 2023.
For DILG MIMAROPA Assistant Regional Director Rey Maranan, everyone has to do his/her part in combating this current pandemic.
“We have to do our part sa paglaban dito (COVID-19). At bahagi ng ating sama-sama na pagkilos para labanan ang COVID-19, ay ang pagsunod natin sa health protocols at pag-practice ng BIDA Solusyon”, ARD Maranan said. ##
By: Whalee Ferrera