BARMM urged to speed up Covid vaccination

COTABATO CITY – Kusug Tausug Rep. Shernee Tambut has urged Muslims in the Bangsamoro autonomous region to get inoculated against Covid-19 after citing reports that the region is far behind in the government’s mass vaccination program. 

Kusug Tausug Rep. Shernee Tan

She said even President Rodrigo Duterte was worried over the low number of people getting the Covid-19 vaccines in the region which comprises the province of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu. 

“Going over the news, two items caught my eye. The first one was President Duterte’s reminder that Covid is still very much around. The other is the latest on how our economy has slid downward, this time going down by 7 notches in Heritage Foundation’s economic freedom index,” she said. 

Tambut said with a little over 2,200 new cases five days ago compared with over 30,000 in January, she fears that people will be complacent. “People will surely tend to let down their guard and skip the tedious and uncomfortable necessary face mask. But, as the President said, we have not yet reached herd immunity, so let’s maintain the face mask and continue to observe social distancing.” 

“What struck me most in that news report, however, were the regional statistics about the vax campaign which indicated that the BARMM remains the laggard among our regions, with only around 28% vaccinated. The President had called out the Muslim community about this last month, saying that the Muslims are resisting the vaccine. But he clarified in that earlier report that some of the Tausugs are not resisting anymore, and I thank the President for acknowledging the efforts of the local government of Sulu in convincing the Tausugs to get their anti-Covid shots,” she added. 

Many Muslims are hesitant to get vaccinated thinking the Covid-19 medicines are “haram” or forbidden under the Islamic law and misinformation further aggravated the vaccine hesitancy in the Bangsamoro region. But the Darul Ifta, the region’s Islamic advisory council, said the vaccines are “halal” or permitted and are considered safe. 

Last September, dozens of ulama led by Deputy Mufti Sheikh Abdulrauf Guialani, who are members of the Darul Ifta, including their staff, led the vaccination in BARMM to encourage Muslims to get inoculated against Covid-19. 

Tambut also recalled her harrowing ordeal after surviving the deadly respiratory virus last month and remembered fellow lawmakers who died from Covid-19 last year. 

“I recall my bout with Covid-19, which I said was only mild, but which scared me a lot. If I had not gotten my two doses of the vaccine beforehand, the physical discomfort and the emotional terror I would have suffered could have been much worse, to say the least. A few of my fellow representatives perished from Covid, because they caught the virus before the vaccines were discovered.” 

“So, to my fellow Muslims in the BARMM, please get your anti-Covid shots now while the vaccines are still available. They are free and painless. Covid is real and the virus is still circulating. Save yourselves from the many aches and anxiety covid brings and save our health workers from extra work. And please don’t forget to wear your face mask when you step out of your house,” she said. 

Tambut also commended health workers who continue to risk their lives to save others and keep them safe from Covid-19. “Since February is the love month, let me greet our health workers once again and thank them for their selfless efforts. Mahal namin kayo,” she said. (Mindanao Examiner)