ILOILO – The provincial government is considering a targeted vaccination in five towns with the most number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections – Oton, Guimbal, Pavia, Leganes, and Santa Barbara.
According to Atty. Suzette Mamon, acting provincial administrator, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. discussed with the Municipal Health Office (MHO) chiefs of these towns on Monday the health protocols they were implementing.
“Isa sa punto nga ginatan-aw sang aton governor kon ano ang ginahimu nila para mag-quarantine sang maayo, ma-impose strictly ang aton health protocols kag kon ano nga measures ang ginhimu nila (to arrest COVID transmission),” said Mamon.
Defensor suggested vaccinating the towns’ economic frontliners (A4 priority group) first as these individuals are the ones moving around because of their jobs.
“Ang laban sini daw spreaders mga A4. So, isa ka punto basi mag-targeted vaccination para ma-address ina nga concern,” Mamon said.
Through this, the governor believes vulnerable persons like the elderly and persons with comorbidities in the household would be protected, she stressed.
“May ara na kita border control, liquor ban. Everything is in place. So, kon wala pa ‘ni sila bakuna indi man maproteksyonan ang pamilya kag iban nga mga two nga naga-upod sa ila… Of course there are other parameters nga ginatan-aw, gina-study-han subong,” Mamon added.
This idea wasn’t new though, as Defensor said last month if the national government permits, and there’s enough vaccine, he would prioritize the A4 category for vaccination. He cited a report from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) that the 21 to 40 years old age group has been commonly hit by the coronavirus.
Presently, this province is inoculating its A1 (healthcare workers), A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (persons with comorbidities) priority populations.
Mamon said Defensor also acknowledged the effort of local government units in preventing further virus transmissions.
Based on PHO’s data (as of June 21), Oton had 913 total coronavirus cases – 161 active, 733 recovered and 19 deaths.
Santa Barbara had 222 active cases, 291 recovered and 18 deaths.
Meanwhile, Leganes recorded 288 total cases, 71 of which were active. Some 205 residents recovered while 12 died.
Pavia town had 732 total cases – 169 active, 539 recovered and 24 dead.
Guimbal, on the other hand, had 66 active COVID cases, 342 recoveries and eight fatalities.
The towns were among the top 15 LGUs in this city with the most COVID-19 infections.
The province logged 10,756 total confirmed cases (as of June 21). Active cases were at 2,456; 8,033 recovered and 267 succumbed to the viral disease./PN
PRO-6 deploys 356 rookies to city, prov’l police offices
BY RUBY SILUBRICO
ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) deployed 356 neophyte police officers to its city and provincial offices across Western Visayas.
These personnel – 291 males and 65 females – would undergo a six-month Field Training Program (FTP), or the “on-the-job” training.
Police Brigadier General Rolando Miranda, police regional director, spearheaded the ceremonial send-off of the new cops (Class 2021-02 “Masidhi”). They would be distributed to these areas:
* Aklan – 25
* Antique – 21
* Bacolod City – 32
* Iloilo province – 142
* Capiz – 15
* Guimaras – 21
* Negros Occidental – 100
The six-month-long FTP is a requirement after they have completed their Police Basic Recruit Course (PBRC) at the Regional Training Center 6.
For six months, the police recruits will be exposed to actual police work in the field of patrol, investigation and traffic management.
They will be handled by their respective Field Training Officers (FTO) who will act as their mentors, instructors, coaches, and role models in the service.
The rookie cops were reminded to take their FTP seriously for this is their preparation for actual police duties.
“I want these new police personnel to work hard in their training and serve the community in accordance with the law. Paghusayan ninyo ang inyong trabaho. Malay natin isa sa inyo ay maging provincial director or even commander, kaya ngayon pa lang matuto na kayo,” Miranda said.
Earlier, the PRO-6 sent 500 police personnel to Iloilo City to boost police presence.
Iloilo Police Provincial Office director, Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero, said the fresh deployments would bolster his offices’ anti-crime campaign.
The 142 rookies for Iloilo province will be distributed to the police stations of Oton (25), Miag-ao (16), Dumangas (17), Calinog (21), Pototan (20), Janiuay (18) and Passi City (25)./PN