ILOILO – Incentivizing residents to get vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could boost the public’s willingness to get the jab. Some local government units in Western Visayas have already resorted to such.
The local government unit (LGU) of Dumangas town here, for example, gives food packs to senior citizens.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. is also considering such scheme. However, he is yet to ascertain what kind of incentive to give and if there is a budget for such.
“Siempre ang una mo nga tan-awon ang budget…Daw pareho lang man ina sa financial assistance sang ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) – it’s almost everybody. So, we better be careful kon ano ma-commit naton dira,” Defensor said.
Defensor also pointed out that at the town level with small populations, LGUs would be able to provide incentives.
“But if you are talking about two million people sa isa ka probinsya, lain man ina,” said Defensor.
Based on data from the Provincial Health Office (PHO), 70 percent or 1,448,757 residents of the province have to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity.
Iloilo has a population of 2,069,653.
As of Aug. 29, a total of 299,858 already received their first doses of the anti-coronavirus jabs; 195,117 completed their vaccination./PN
