ILOILO City — Alarmed by a 41-percent surge in measles-rubella cases in Western Visayas, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has mobilized local government units, barangay officials, and community leaders to ensure the success of a regionwide immunization drive targeting more than 408,000 children before the disease escalates into a major outbreak.
The Department of Health (DOH)-led Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR SIA) will be conducted from Aug. 10 to 28, 2026, covering children aged six to 59 months with free measles-rubella vaccines and Vitamin A supplementation.
The campaign aims to protect 408,114 children across Western Visayas from two highly contagious but preventable diseases.
DILG Region 6 director Juan Jovian Ingeniero said local governments have a big role in achieving the campaign’s target.
“The vaccine is safe and free. It can be obtained at health centers and designated areas by our local governments,” Ingeniero said.
Health officials raised concern after measles-rubella cases in the region climbed to 444 in 2025, up from 314 cases the previous year, reflecting a sharp increase linked to low immunization coverage.
Although no deaths or major outbreak clusters have been recorded, authorities warned that communities with many unvaccinated children remain highly vulnerable.
Dr. Jose Martin Atienza, DOH Region 6 immunization program coordinator, said the region must achieve at least 95 percent vaccination coverage to prevent sustained disease transmission.
“The continuous rise in measles cases over the past few years is a reminder that we have not met the necessary immunization benchmarks. This situation has resulted in a significant population of unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children, exposing entire communities to outbreaks,” Atienza said.
Ingeniero urged mayors, barangay officials, and other community leaders to intensify information campaigns and encourage parents to have their children vaccinated.
“Measles and rubella are highly contagious diseases that can lead to serious illness and even death. However, with proper immunization, these health threats can be effectively prevented,” he said.
He added that local health workers are prepared to administer the vaccines and manage possible side effects while ensuring equitable access to vaccination services.
The campaign will also provide Vitamin A supplementation to improve children’s immunity and overall health.
Officials said community participation will be essential in combating misinformation and vaccine hesitancy that continue to affect immunization rates.
Atienza assured parents that vaccines under the National Immunization Program have undergone rigorous safety evaluations and are provided free of charge.
“Parents should have confidence in the vaccines being administered. They have undergone meticulous safety evaluations and have been approved by esteemed organizations like the World Health Organization and the Food and Drug Administration,” he said.
As the campaign draws near, DILG-6 called on local governments to strengthen coordination with health workers and help ensure every eligible child is reached.
“Our health workers are fully prepared to administer the vaccine and promptly address any possible side effects. DILG calls on our local chief executives (mayors), barangay officials, and community leaders to actively support this campaign through mobilization, dissemination of accurate information, and providing clear access to vaccination services,” Ingeniero said.
“Let’s strengthen coordination at the local level and work together to prevent the spread of measles and rubella in our community,” he added./PN