Baguio Bishop Victor Bendico on Saturday encouraged other bishops to get the vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Because it could be for our own health, our own good, and also for the good of others,” he said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.

The Catholic prelate, who received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Friday, said he did not feel anything unusual after the shot.

Bendico added that his doctor advised him to get vaccinated since he visits many places under his diocese.

“I always encounter people, every day. So, that is why my doctor and the hospital, told me to get the vaccine since I’m always out. I didn’t have second thoughts,” the Baguio bishop said.

He was the second Catholic prelate to get vaccinated, Jaro Archbishop Jose Lazo also received the AstraZeneca vaccine on March 15.

Earlier, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles said the bishops are ready to get vaccinated, to help encourage the faithful and also to trust the vaccination program of the government. (PNA)