Navy transports COVID-19 jabs to remote Tawi-Tawi towns

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Ensuring that no one is left out in the government’s vaccination drive against COVID-19, the Phillipine Navy has transported more than 1,000 vaccine doses in Taganak and Mapun towns in Tawi-Tawi.

Rear Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr., Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander, said 1,780 doses of Sinovac were delivered to Taganak on Turtle Island and Mapun Island, two of the farthest municipalities in Mindanao.

Taganak is near the border of Sandakan, Sabah while Mapun is located at the border of Indonesia. Both areas are accessible only by ferry from Sulu or Tawi-Tawi.

Adaci said the BRP Andres Bonifacio, a patrol ship under the control of the Naval Task Force-61, transported medical personnel and vaccines for the inoculation rollout in the two towns.

“It is in line with the government’s effort to provide vaccines to its people as far as the islands that lie within the territory. We want to make sure that every Filipino is in step as the nation moves forward in its fight against COVID-19,” he said.

Adaci said government troopers remain committed to extending assistance to local governments in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi in pursuit of peace and development, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.