THE National Government awarded on Thursday, Dec. 9, the local government units (LGUs), including Cebu City, that were able to achieve and surpass their vaccination targets during the national vaccination drive, which was held on Nov. 29 to Dec. 3.
Cebu City was hailed for having the highest doses administered among all cities nationwide, at 103,828.
Lawyer Mat Eric Medalle, chief-of-staff of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, received the award for the city in Mandaluyong City Thursday, Dec. 9.
Cebu City Health Department head Dr. Jeffrey Ibones expressed elation that the City had received the accolade.
“We are thankful for this achievement. But most of all, this award is truly a product of a team effort. It’s not just an achievement of our department, but of all medical and non-medical personnel of the City, all establishments that offered their facilities to help in the vaccination activities, and also of the people of Cebu City who participated in the national vaccination days,” Ibones told SunStar Cebu in Cebuano.
Ibones hopes to see a repeat of this achievement during the second round of the activity on Dec. 15 to 17.
“We are hoping that more people will get vaccinated, especially our senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD) now that they are encouraged to get vaccinated to avail themselves of the city’s yearly financial assistance,” Ibones added.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama earlier said fully vaccinated senior citizens and PWDs would be prioritized in the distribution of the City’s financial aid, followed by the partially vaccinated.
More good performers
Laguna was the top performing province with a total of 271,989 vaccine doses administered.
The top three municipalities with the highest number of doses administered on Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 were Rodriguez in Rizal with 39,383; Tanza, Cavite with 25,277; and Arayat, Pampanga with 20,955.
The local government units received P25,000 worth of SM gift certificates awarded during a ceremony held at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.
A total of 10,254,560 individuals were inoculated during the vaccination drive, which was extended until Dec. 3.
Of the total, 2,716,068 doses were administered on Nov. 29; 2,489,351 on Nov. 30; 2,884,659 on Dec. 1; and 2,164,482 doses on Dec. 2 and 3.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said this increased the total number of fully vaccinated individuals in the country to around 39.7 million, while 57 million received the first dose.
He said 6.5 million adolescents also received the vaccines against Covid-19.
Galvez said this will pave the way for the expansion of face-to-face classes in the country.
Warning for unvaccinated
Mayor Rama has urged all residents of Cebu City eligible for vaccination against Covid-19 to get vaccinated because by Jan. 1, 2022, only the fully vaccinated will be allowed inside establishments.
This has prompted Councilor Dave Tumulak to suggest that instead of barring unvaccinated individuals from indoor and outdoor establishments, they should just be required to wear a face shield in addition to their masks starting Jan. 1, 2022.
In addition to adults, Rama has given the directive that unvaccinated minors aged 12-17 will no longer be allowed in such establishments by 2022 even if accompanied by their fully vaccinated parents
The councilor, who will run for mayor of Cebu City against Rama and Margarita Osmeña in next year’s elections, said he was worried a commotion could occur between the unvaccinated and the guards or management of the establishments that will not admit unvaccinated people.
Tumulak clarified that he is not against vaccination and that he just wants to hear the legitimate reasons instead of pressuring people to get vaccinated, as some might decline vaccination due to health problems, its being against their religion or their not being convinced on the effects of the vaccine. (PAC / CTL)