BACOLOD CITY – This city was recognized by the Department of Health Region 6 for being the local government unit (LGU) with the most prepared COVID-19 vaccination plan in Western Visayas.
With a rating of 75.9 percent, the city had the “highest readiness” among LGUs in the region, followed by Capiz at 53.4 percent, and Iloilo at 43 percent, according to DOH Region 6 infectious disease cluster head Dr. Mary Jane Roches Juanico.
The DOH readiness assessment was based on various thematic areas which include planning, budgeting, prioritization and targeting, system capacity for handling cold chain, logistics and ancillary supplies for COVID-19, service delivery capacity, surveillance response, and demand generation activity.
Juanico said LGUs in the region struggle in the areas of targeting, demand generation, and demand prioritization.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said their unity and teamwork is paying off, as he lauded the support of the City Council and Vaccination Council members. “This is an inspiring surprise,” he added.
The city was among the first LGUs in the country to procure COVID-19 vaccines from a pharmaceutical company. It has already paid an initial P31 million to AstraZeneca.
Expected to arrive starting the third quarter, the 650,000 doses from AstraZeneca will kick off Bacolod’s vaccination program.