Major airlines have committed to help the government in transporting COVID-19 vaccine shipments to various provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao.
On Friday, Philippine Airlines flew 10,580 doses of vaccines to Iloilo; 17,480 doses to Cebu; 6,600 doses to Bacolod; 17,940 doses to Cotabato; 8,940 doses to Butuan; 2,680 doses to Tagbilaran, and 6,900 doses to Tacloban.
PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the flag carrier also carried 17,400 doses to Cagayan de Oro; 21,600 doses to Davao; 12,000 doses to Legazpi, and 4,200 doses to Cotabato on Thursday while on Wednesday it flew 12,000 doses to Davao, and 7,200 doses to Cebu.
“Philippine Airlines is proud to be part of this mission of bringing the vaccines to various parts of the country as a first step towards healing and recovery,” said Villaluna.
The Cebu Pacific Air, on the other hand, carried COVID vaccines to Zamboanga and Tuguegarao.
After its standard screening protocols, all 35 boxes (17 for Zamboanga, 18 for Tuguegarao) were stored in a 20-footer refrigerated carrier reefer van, equipped with cooling systems, to preserve the condition of the vaccines.
The vaccines were turned over to the local government for proper handling, in preparation for distribution to medical facilities.
“We are happy to support the rollout of the government’s vaccination program. As a public service with the widest domestic network, we will do all we can to help ensure the timely and successful distribution of vaccines across the country, as we all work together to pave way for the recovery of our economy,” said Alex Reyes, President and chief executive officer of Cebgo, CEB’s sister airline.