FIVE of Lapu-Lapu City’s 30 barangays were awarded for garnering the highest percentage of fully vaccinated individuals against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) during the city’s 61st Charter Day celebration on Friday, June 17, 2022.The Lapu-Lapu City Government, in coordination with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (Rafi), initiated the award-giving ceremony to recognize the work of barangays in their campaign to vaccinate their constituents against Covid-19.Of the 30 barangays in Lapu-Lapu City, Barangay Ibo was awarded the top prize after they were able to present a vaccination rate of 201.94 percent.For their achievement, Barangay Ibo officials received a cash prize of P50,000. Ibo village chief Mary Jane Cahilog was also given a certificate of recognition by Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan and other city officials.‘Rekorida’ strategyCahilog told reporters that their continuous “rekorida” or barangay-level information drives were part of their strategy in their successful vaccination campaign.Aside from conducting “rekorida,” Cahilog said she also provided cash incentives to their constituents, particularly senior citizens, who availed of Covid-19 vaccination early.Cahilog, however, clarified that the cash prizes came from her own pocket and not from the barangay.Cahilog said she and her fellow barangay officials plan to use the P50,000 cash prize to purchase equipment for their health center.The remaining cash prize, Cahilog added, will be used to reward some of their personnel who helped in their Covid-19 efforts.Aside from Ibo, the four other barangays that were recognized by the city for their improved vaccination rates are Poblacion (119.56 percent), Pusok (108.17 percent), Pajo (103.95 percent), and Basak (86.74 percent).Aside from their improved vaccination rates, Barangay Poblacion also received a special award for being the first village in the city to achieve herd immunity for its senior citizens.Barangay Poblacion received P45,000, Pusok got P40,000, while Pajo and Basak received P35,000 and P30,000, respectively.Lapu-Lapu City’s vaccination data as of Dec. 15, 2021 was used by the City and Rafi to determine the barangays that deserved to be awarded.Apart from Chan and Rafi officials, Visayas Vaccination Operations Center spokesperson Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, who serves as the city’s health consultant, and Retired Gen. Melquiades Feliciano, who serves as chief implementer of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) in the Visayas, were also present during the awarding ceremony.Chan also awarded 28 individuals and groups that acted as responders during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette (Rai) last year.