ILOILO – Local chief executives (LCEs) in this province welcomed their selection for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination.
The prioritization adjustment was based on the latest advisory of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center of the Department of Health (DOH).
“I’m really thankful nga makauna ako pa-vaccinate para ma-encourage ko man ang mga Santa Barbaranhons to do the same,” said Mayor Rema Somo in an interview with Panay News.
The mayor added that after her vaccination, she would share her experience down to the barangay level “kay sa paglibot ko daw kanubo gid sang vaccine acceptance.”
Somo also noted that she was dealing with various people so the more she needed to get the anti-coronavirus shot.
“Mas maayo kon makapabakuna kay ti proteksyon gid ini sa amon,” she added.
As of this writing, Santa Barbara had 219 total confirmed COVID-19 cases – 50 were active, 161 have recovered and eight died.
Only 28 LCEs in Western Visayas have been included in the government’s COVID-19 vaccination adjusted priority list.
These included all governors in the region, one mayor from a highly urbanized city and 21 mayors from towns and cities deemed by the DOH as “critical and high risk” areas.
Pursuant to the key agreements during the 108th meeting of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, LCEs of critical and high-risk provinces, cities and municipalities may be vaccinated as part of Priority Group A1.5, “taking into consideration the role of LCEs in the COVID-19 pandemic response and the limited vaccine supply.”
Mayor Ma. Lina Holipas of Leon, meanwhile, said this was a great development for LCEs “who had been in the frontlines, too.”
“I’d say nga 24/7 ara ako ‘ya sa opisina nga naga-obra and iba-iba ang gina-atubang,” the mayor told Panay News.
She added: “Nagalibot man ako kag naga-join gid sa aton RHU (Rural Health Unit) personnel sa kabarangayan sa pag-advocate and disseminate information with regards to vaccination.”
With her inclusion in the priority list, she said this could be a way to encourage her constituents.
“The only way nga maproteksyonan kita sa balatian is through vaccination,” Holipas added.
She recognizsed that here were still vaccine-hesitant residents in Leon, “amo ‘na ginpabaskug pa gid namon ang amon education campaign.”
Leon had 94 total confirmed coronavirus cases as of this writing. Four were still active, 79 have recovered and one died.
On the other hand, Mayor Mark Palabrica of Bingawan thanked the national government, national IATF and DOH.
The mayor said there’s no problem to be vaccinated first “para maproteksyunan man kami and ma-encourage man aton pumoluyo.”
Palabrica added that if the vaccines for LCEs would just be available, he is willing to be inoculated by next week.
“Wala man problema kon Sinovac vaccine ang ihatag sa aton,” he furthered.
The mayor also noted that at least 72 healthcare workers in Bingawan already received their doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
As of Thursday, the town had no active COVID-19 cases as all of its 34 total confirmed cases recovered.
Based on the current assessment of the DOH, LCEs of 57 provinces, 25 highly urbanized/independent component cities, and 321 component cities/municipalities totaling to 403 are qualified to be vaccinated as part of Priority Group A1.5.
“If a locality becomes high or critical risk as determined by the DOH, the LCE of the locality shall be qualified for inoculation with COVID-19 vaccines,” read part of the advisory.
According to the DOH, LCEs aged 59 years and younger will be inoculated with the China-made CoronaVac vaccine of Sinopharm Biotech. The same goes with LCEs with co-morbidities.
Mayor Francisco Calvo of Calinog likewise welcomed his inclusion.
“Handa gid ako nga magpabakuna,” Calvo told Panay News, adding that he previously signified willingness to be inoculated publicly to boost public trust.
As of April 8, Calinog had 100 total confirmed coronavirus cases – 25 were active, 73 recovered and two deaths.
Panay News also tried to reach mayors Oscar Garin Sr. of Guimbal and Elvira Alarcon of Batad but they have yet to issue their statements./PN
