Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) president Dakila Cua vowed that all local government units under ULAP’s wing will respond to Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s rallying call for LGUs to “build a wall of immunity” against COVID-19.
“Of course, ULAP and all its LGU-members will respond to the President’s rallying call positively. We will do our best to complement the national government’s efforts to combat COVID-19,” Cua, governor of Quirino province, said.
The task of convincing people to get boosted is one that local governments are primed to do, Cua added, given their direct relationship to people on the ground.
Marcos called on LGUs to support his administration’s booster shot drive against COVID-19.
The President touted the importance of booster shots in building a wall of immunity so that in-person classes could resume and the country could continue reopening its economy amid a recent surge in COVID-19 cases.
The country’s active cases climbed to more than 13,000 over the weekend. The last time the country’s case count reached similar numbers was in April.
The COVID-19 positivity rate in the national capital region has also now increased to above 10 percent.
According to Cua, among the most immediate measures that LGUs could take is in engaging communities on the need for its members to take the booster shot.
Cua said that he will be expecting marching orders from President Marcos so that LGUs can embark on their booster vaccination drives soon.
“We have to re-emphasize that the pandemic isn’t over, and that the booster shots are necessary to further protect against the coronavirus. Mukhang marami kasi yata sa mga kababayan natin ang nakakampante na at naniniwalang sapat na ang pagiging fully-vaccinated,” said the governor.
The task of convincing people to get boosted is one that local governments are primed to do, Cua added, given their direct relationship to people on the ground.
“Kami ang nakakakilala, eh. We know the people’s names, the language. So LGUs should take a more active role in informing their constituents—which I am confident they continue to do,” said Cua.
The Department of Health reported that while some 55 million Filipinos are eligible to receive their first booster shot, about 40 million have yet to get the jab, with only 15.2 million so far having received their first booster.
Cua said that he will be expecting marching orders from President Marcos so that LGUs can embark on their booster vaccination drives soon.
