The city government will prioritize the vaccination of workers in the city’s fishing industry in the upcoming rollout of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines for the A4 priority group.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said on Tuesday the master listing of the eligible workers is ongoing through the rural health units (RHU) and the 26 barangays, and in coordination with concerned stakeholders.

He said they submitted a request to the National Task Force against Covid-19, through chief implementer Secretary Carlito Gavez Jr., for the allocation of some 5,000 vaccines for the sector.

The target recipients are workers at the city fish port complex, canning, and fishing companies, he said.

“These are vital economic installations and people are congregating there daily so we have to ensure that the workers are protected,” Rivera told reporters.

The mayor said the planned vaccination will include crew members of fishing boats that operate in the international waters and passing in various ports.

He said the local government has already coordinated the matter with the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), which manages the fish port complex, and the South Cotabato Purse Seiners Association and Socksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries Inc.

The PFDA here has submitted to the RHU in Barangay Tambler the names of fish port workers who signified to avail of the Covid-19 vaccines.

As of July 12, the City Health Office reported that some 30,466 individuals under priority groups A1 (frontline health care workers), A2 (senior citizens), and A3 (persons with comorbidities) have already their first doses.

A total of 10,815 individuals have received their second dose or booster shots of the AstraZeneca and Sinovac’s CoronaVac vaccines.

On Monday, the city government received an additional 3,500 doses of the Sinovac vaccines from the Department of Health-Region 12 that were intended for the second shots of the remaining eligible individuals under priority groups A1, A2, and A3. (PNA)