ILOILO City – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office here is being besieged with inquiries about the “FreeBis” (Free Bisikleta) program.
Labor secretary Silvestre Bello III recently announced that those under A4 category (essential workers) of the vaccination prioritization framework would be given “FreeBis” if they complete their vaccination – two doses – against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
However, DOLE-6 information officer John Mandario said the project could not be implemented yet until they receive the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) from the central office.
“That is what we’re waiting for, ang guidelines from DOLE’s central office kon paano ini ipatuman, specifics and the details,” Mandario told Panay News. “May ara ‘na nagatawag sa office pero as of now wala pa kita sang IRR.”
Bello said they would give opportunities to the vaccinated A4 group to start their own business by giving them FreeBis, a program in partnership with the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC).
“With free bicycles, beneficiaries can start their own business. These also come with cellphones with P5,000 worth of load,” Bello said.
Initially, 2,000 bicycles would be given away – 1,000 in the National Capital Region, and 1,000 in other regions.
The Department of Health in Region 6 recorded a total of 274,291 individuals in the A priority group that already received anti-coronavirus jabs.
Of these, 144,954 were inoculated with Sinovac and 129,337 with AstraZeneca.
Data further showed that 95,744 under A1 (frontline healthcare workers); 94,642 under A2 (senior citizens); and 79,107 under A3 (persons with comorbidities) got their first vaccine dose.
On the other hand, a total of 91,366 individuals were able to complete their vaccination (two doses) – 84,308 received Sinovac and 7,058 got AstraZeneca./PN
