ANGELES CITY— The city government here, under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin Jr., has obtained the highest percentage of COVID-19 vaccination coverage in Central Luzon.
This after the Department of Health Region III released the according data during the City and Municipality Health Officers Region III Summit at Quest Hotel on Feb. 22, 2023.
According to the said data, as of January 2033, Angeles City garnered 121% COVID-19 first dose vaccination coverage exceeding its target population, as well as 116% for second dose.
Following Angeles City is Olongapo City with 116% and 108% vaccination coverage for first and second doses; Bataan (111% and 106%); Tarlac (109% and 105%); and Pampanga (106% and 102%) also exceeded their target coverage.
“Simula po dumating ang mga bakuna kontra COVID-19, isa lamang po ang naging direktiba ko sa mga miyembro ng vaccination team natin, sa pangunguna ni IC Calaguas at City Health Officer Dr. Verona Guevarra, na gawing mabilis ang pagbaba ng bakuna sa mga tao para agad silang maprotektahan sa nasabing virus,” Lazatin said.
Mayor Lazatin commended the Angeles City Vaccination Team, led by the chief implementer of the city government’s vaccination program, Calaguas, for this great feat.
Lazatin also extended his appreciation to members of the vaccination teams including Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center led by Dr. Froilan Canlas, Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office led by Rodolfo Simeon, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Edna Duaso and staff, City Health Office led by Dr. Guevarra, CHO Nurse Supervisor Evelinda Mariano, Gender and Development Office headed by Mina Cabiles, Angeles City Economic Development Investment and Promotions Officer-in-Charge Irish Bonus-Llego and staff; Business Permit and Licensing Division led by Evangeline Malonzo, Barangay Outreach Program and Angeles City Tourism Auxiliary led by Michael Lising, City Nutrition Office led by Jermaine Jam Aguila, Angeles City Traffic Development Office headed by Francis Pangilinan, Angeles City Tourism Officer-in-Charge Anneleen Antonio-Sugui and staff, Quality Management System led by Chrysalene Cunanan, Blood Bank headed by Jennifer Balatbat, City Environment and Natural Resources Office led by Engr. Donato Dizon, and City College of Angeles.
To date, 407,108 Angeleño residents already received their first dose of vaccines; 384,889 for the second dose; 98,313 for the first booster shot; and 15,251 for the second booster shot.
Angeles City is also the only Local Government Unit with a blended scheme vaccination drive — the Ronda Bakuna, the Sundo Bakuna, and the Suyod Bakuna sa Barangay programs.
The Ronda Bakuna sa Barangay is the delivery of vaccination service right at the doorsteps of Angeleño families using three mobile bus clinics, while the Sundo Bakuna sa Barangay program picked up Angeleños from the barangays and took them to the city’s two mega vaccination sites with free transportation services provided — six Philippine Rabbit buses and 10 jeepneys. The Suyod Bakuna sa Barangay seeks to identify and vaccinate all residents and non-residents, aged 18 years old and above, who are not yet vaccinated.
To recall, the World Health Organization commended the blended scheme vaccination of the Angeles City Government as a great strategy to fast track the vaccines while bringing it closer to the constituents.
Angeles City is also one of the 23 Highly Urbanized Cities in the country to achieve herd immunity.
At the time of writing, all residents who wish to be vaccinated can visit the six Rural Health Units.
