By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Mayor Marvin Malacon of E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental said they are seeking the help of various groups to include 70% of its population in the COVID-19 vaccination program because of limited budget to purchase the vaccines.
Malacon and other town officials launched the “Adopt a Friend, Gugma mo Kaluwasan ko! Tumandok Cares” Thursday during the municipal government orientation on COVID-19 vaccination in the town.
Present in the launching were Vice Mayor Eric Matulac, Frs. Ernesto Salvador and Arnel Pabalate, Municipal Health Officer Dr. Edmundo Janeo, a representative of the Department of Interior and Local Government, and barangay officials and residents.
Councilor Jovie Madayag, chairperson of the Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Education, said Malacon’s family pledged to donate PHP500,000 for the purchase of vaccines.
The procurement process is still ongoing.
Municipal Planning and Development officer Engineer Erwin Poniado said the Association of Barangay Captains in EB Magalona also committed to set aside money for the vaccines for their respective barangay officials, health workers, and tanods.
Madayag said other sectors of society, including business groups and private companies, are urged to take care of their employees, while SB members will take charge of their respective families.
Malacon said the town will allocate about PHP15-million for the purchase of vaccines.
But it is not enough to cover 70% of the town’s population of about 40,000.
“This is the reason why we need the help of various sectoral groups,” Malacon said.
He also said that if the 10,000 doses intended for frontliners are waived and if all sectoral groups respond to the call for help, the vaccines could be given to other residents.
He also appealed to the business sector, the Department of Education, and the Philippine National Police to take charge of their respective personnel and families, so more town residents can be vaccinated.
Malacon added that he will also coordinate with the offices of Rep. Francisco Benitez and Abang Lingkod Rep. Stephen Paduano on how to come up with a solution to the lack of vaccines.
He is also expecting help from the national and provincial governments, in negotiating for the purchase of the vaccines.
NO MORE ACTIVE CASES
Meanwhile, the city of Himamaylan and four other local government units in Negros Occidental are COVID-19-free based on the cumulative tally of confirmed cases from March 27, 2020 to January 28, 2021
Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson said that the city is “officially COVID-free”.
He thanked the residents of the city for their continued cooperation and support.
“Through our combined efforts, Himamaylan City will continue to flatten the curve of COVID-19,” Tongson said.
Himamaylan has 215 total confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 212 recoveries and three deaths.
It has no new COVID-19 case reported as of Thursday.
Aside from Himamaylan City, the four other COVID-19-free LGUs are Kabankalan City, San Enrique, Sipalay City, and Valladolid.
The province of Negros Occidental has 6,652 confirmed cases but only 111 are considered active.
