ANTIQUE – The Provincial Government of Antique, through the Provincial Health Office (PHO) in coordination with the Rural Health Unit and the San Jose Primary Care Facility, officially launched the 2025 School-Based Immunization Program (SBIP) on Monday, August 11, at the Antique National School’s Win Gym.
Dubbed “Bakuna Eskwela”, the initiative is part of the Department of Health’s (DOH) campaign in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) to protect schoolchildren from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) such as measles, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
Under the program, Grade 7 students will receive Measles–Rubella (MR) and Tetanus–Diphtheria (Td) vaccines, Grade 1 pupils will be given MR and Td shots, while Grade 4 pupils will get HPV vaccines to help prevent cervical cancer. The immunization drive will run until September 30, 2025, covering public schools across the province.
Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Ric Noel Naciongayo thanked parents for entrusting their children to the program, stressing that vaccines are vital for raising healthy learners.
“When we give vaccination, they are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases so they will become healthy learners,” Naciongayo said. “Kun healthy ang atun mga estudyante, ang pagtuon nanda mayad – kung mayad ang pagtuon, rayu ang maabutan nanda.”
San Jose de Buenavista’s Mayor Paul Joseph Untaran and Sangguniang Bayan Member Leslie Lotilla attended the launching to show their support.
Governor Paolo Javier also expressed full backing for the program, emphasizing that safeguarding the health of his kasimanwa remains among his top priorities in building a stronger and healthier Antique./PN
