ILOILO City – The city government will purchase mpox vaccines once the Department of Health (DOH) authorizes local procurement, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Treñas made the statement amid growing concern over local transmission. He clarified that while mpox vaccines are available internationally, current procurement protocols prohibit local governments from buying them without DOH approval.
“If the DOH decides to procure the vaccines, we are ready to purchase doses for Iloilo City. The same goes for the shingles vaccine,” Treñas said, referring to the viral disease locally known as tikus.
As of June 2, the city has confirmed four mpox cases and is monitoring two additional suspected cases.
Although health authorities have not declared an outbreak, Treñas emphasized that proactive measures must be taken to curb further spread.
“This is not only an Iloilo issue. Mpox cases have been reported across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. We must confront the problem directly,” the mayor said.
Treñas convened the city’s Task Force Mpox — composed of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and City Health Office (CHO) — to coordinate efforts. The task force has rolled out information drives across barangays, schools, and workplaces to raise awareness and encourage preventive behavior.
The mayor outlined four priority areas: increasing public understanding of mpox, educating citizens on transmission routes, promoting preventive measures, and enlisting media support to spread accurate information.
“There’s no room for misinformation. The media play a critical role in helping people understand the symptoms and risks of this disease,” Treñas said.
Mpox is primarily transmitted through close physical contact, including sexual activity, with an infected individual. The public is advised to avoid such contact, wear face masks when necessary, and report suspected symptoms to health authorities.
Treñas reiterated that with no local vaccine supply yet available, prevention remains the best defense./PN