LGUs will be rewarded and sanctioned by the Philippine government based on vaccine implementation.
Depending on the pace of their immunization program, various local government units (LGUs) will be rewarded or sanctioned, according to National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 principal implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez.
The arrival of additional 866,970 doses of Pfizer vaccine at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City late Saturday was hailed by Assistant Secretary Wilben Mayor, NTF head of strategic communications on current operations.
In a news release, Galvez, who is also the country’s vaccination czar, said, “We will promote LGUs with high accomplishments and discipline those underperforming, notably in the distribution and administration of these life-saving doses.”
Galvez reaffirmed the government’s request for LGUs to expand their immunization campaigns, emphasizing that complete protection of the most vulnerable sectors must be their main concern.
He claimed that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) had earlier issued an order requiring LGUs to use vaccines “as soon as possible” after receiving them.
In order to reduce vaccine wastage, LGUs are also required to monitor their vaccine stockpiles on a regular basis, he noted.
Galvez stated the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) is set to release a memorandum detailing prizes and sanctions that LGUs could get depending on their vaccine handling and administration efforts, in order to address vaccine hesitancy issues.
The NTF, according to Galvez, is asking local governments to draft their own local ordinances to support the nationwide call for a “no vaccine preference policy” to ensure that all vaccines on hand are used up before they expire.
“This will serve as a preview as we campaign for mandatory vaccination, particularly for the most vulnerable and residents of high-density areas,” he said.
Galvez emphasized the need of local governments in increasing public acceptance of Covid-19 vaccinations, regardless of brand. He reiterated his support for the country’s mandated immunization program.
The fresh cargo, which is part of the 1.7 million government-supplied doses that were delivered on Friday, bringing the overall number of vaccines received in the country to 110,646,500 doses.
During the arrival ceremony, Mayor Aquino was accompanied by John Groch, counselor for public affairs at the US Embassy in Manila, and Department of Health Director Ariel Valencia.
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