Filipinos feel lucky living in Palau, country with 99% COVID-19 vaccination

At least two Filipinos living in COVID-19 free Palau shared their experience of getting vaccinated in the country, which inoculated 99% of its population against COVID-19.

A report by JM Encinas on "Stand for Truth" quoted the International Federation of Red Cross which stated Palau fully inoculated 99% of its current population of 18,100. The Pacific nation has also the world's highest percentage of people vaccinated against COVID-19.

One of the vaccinated folk was 65-year-old Roberto Hernandez, a Filipino musician who has been living in Palau for 29 years.

"Nagtanong ako sa kanila 65 years old na ko kung puwede na ko mabakunahan dahil 65 years old na ko and diabetic ako, okay nilista ko the next day bakunado na ko ng 1st dose," Hernandez said.

(I asked them if a senior like me can get inoculated because I am 65 years old and a diabetic, so I was listed and the next day, I got my first dose.)

He said most residents were enjoined to get inoculated after the Palau President volunteered to get the first COVID-19 jab in their country.

With this vaccination efforts, Palau also became COVID-19 free because it closed its borders to Philippines, Taiwan, China, Japan, and Korea, Hernandez also said.

Aside from Hernandez, Rudy Dulatre, another Filipino senior citizen in Palau, already got injected with COVID-19 vaccines there.

Despite completing his vaccination, Dulatre said many residents there wear face shield, face masks and follow health protocols.

"Alert sila parating may ano sa amin, para silang nagpapaskil tungkol sa COVID ng mga safety measures ganyan. (They are alert and there are signs to remind us of the COVID-19 safety measures.)," said Dulatre.

Asked if they will still return to the Philippines, both residents said they prefer to stay in Palau due to their steady source of income there.

"Ayokong umuwi sa Pilipinas dahil wala ngang regular flight na pabalik, tumatanggap na ko ng SS pension ko dito sa Palau kaya pagka umuwi ako at hindi nakabalik at makapag-report within 6 months titigil ang SS ko, ‘yon na lang ang source of income ko kaya hindi ako umuwi at naghanap ako ng paraan para makapanatili sa Palau," said Hernandez.

(I don't want to return to Philippines because there is no regular flight and I am receiving my pension here so if I go back and I can't report within six months, my pension will be removed, which is my source of income. So I must think of  a way to stay in Palau.)

"Dahil dito na tayo tumanda, no choice dito na kami ngayon tinatanggap na naming pension namin at monthly benefit kaya ngayon hindi kami makaalis alis dito sa Palau," Dulatre then said.

(I have already grown old here and I have no choice because I have my pension and monthly benefit here so I can't leave.)—Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News