ILOILO City – Priority residents need not travel some distance to be vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The city government is rolling out vaccines to the barangays.
According to Mayor Jerry Treñas, the Iloilo City COVID-19 team agreed to pilot Barangay Calumpang in Molo district.
The initiative seeks to bring vaccines closer to residents, Treñas stressed. “Matilaw ta anay isa nga barangay vaccination center which is Calumpang.”
Calumpang, one of the biggest barangays here in terms of population, is kicking off its barangay-based vaccination today, July 9, as part of the city’s continuing effort to attain herd immunity.
The Marian Hall of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish-Calumpang will be used as vaccination site.
This setup brings convenience to senior citizens and persons with comorbidities, Treñas said, similar to what’s being done in Manila.
Meanwhile, according to Calumpang’s punong barangay Roberto Niño Jr., they target to vaccinate 300 barangay residents, mainly senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs). Those who are bedridden will be vaccinated in their homes.
“As pilot barangay, we hope to vaccinate the vulnerable sector where it is accessible for them or easier to go to. They can give testimonies to their fellows who are still afraid to get vaccinated. This is a good move of the city government to make the vaccination program closer to the people,” Niño said.
The village chief noted, of the barangay’s 21,000 total population, more than 1,300 senior citizens have been surveyed and 22 were bedridden.
He added that around 450 of the elderly have so far been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Treñas directed other barangay captains to start identifying bedridden residents.
Vaccinators will visit them, he said.
Iloilo City has five bigger vaccination sites at the Central Philippine University, Iloilo Convention Center, University of San Agustin, Ateneo De Iloilo, and University of the Philippines Visayas.
As of July 7, a total of 87,383 individuals received their first dose. A total of 16,994, meanwhile, already completed their second dose./PN
