The national government will start recognizing local government units (LGUs) that did a good job in encouraging their constituents to be vaccinated and get booster shots against the Covid-19.
In a statement, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the award would be ‘PinasLakas LGU Champions’ and is part of the memorandum circular it signed with the Department of Health (DOH).
The DOH-DILG Joint Memorandum Circular 2022-01 on the awarding and recognition of PinasLakas LGU Champions aims to fete top-performing LGUs for their significant efforts in the implementation and success of the government’s PinasLakas campaign, recognize their best practices, and inspire others to follow suit.
“Mula pa sa umpisa ay nakita na natin ang sipag at dedikasyon ng LGUs sa PinasLakas campaign (From the very start, we already witnessed the work and dedication of the LGUs in the PinasLakas campaign). It is, therefore, fitting to give tribute to the LGUs who have performed excellently in the campaign and have been instrumental in building a solid wall of immunity against Covid-19 in their localities,” Abalos said.
The PinasLakas campaign was launched by the DOH with the support of the DILG and other agencies and stakeholders to support the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 11525 or the Covid-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 and the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
Abalos stated that the LGUs will be assessed based on the following criteria: increase of vaccination accomplishment from the baseline data for the A2 or senior citizens category, and the final first dose booster coverage (60 points); complete and timely submission of vaccination accomplishment through the Vaccine Administration System Line List (20 points); establishment of at least one vaccination site for each of the DOH-proposed settings-based vaccination site (10 points); and established partnership with stakeholders and private sector for demand generation and communications (10 points).
He noted that the assessment covers all cities and municipalities nationwide, including those in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The DILG chief pointed out that performance indicators are adjusted according to the following categories: highly-urbanized cities; independent component cities and component cities; first to third class municipalities; and fourth to sixth class municipalities.
Abalos also explained that the LGUs will be assessed for their accomplishments within the period of July 26, 2022 to Oct. 9, 2022, following the first 100 days directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong’’ Marcos Jr.
“Only the official vaccination data submitted to the DOH as reported by its appropriate units will be used as basis for assessing the LGUs and determining the PinasLakas LGU champions,” he added.
Based on their ratings, Abalos said that the LGUs garnering 90 points and above will be awarded as first placers; LGUs with 85-89 points will be ranked second; and LGUs with 80-84 points will be ranked third.
Abalos continued that special recognition will be given to the LGUs that have reached 90 percent coverage or above for the A2 population before July 26, 2022. Said LGUs shall also qualify as PinasLakas LGU Champions. (Chito A. Chavez)