ILIGAN CITY (PIA)--The municipality of Bacolod in Lanao del Norte showcased its all-out efforts and strategies to effectively cope with the ongoing worldwide health crisis.

Municipal Vice-Mayor Atty. Alfons Janssen Marcera shared in a virtual conversation arranged by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Lanao del Norte with the province’s local government units Tuesday, June 29, that the municipality has employed efforts and approaches to amplify confidence among its constituents.

“We saw it fit to provide initiatives touched by strategies to optimize and increase the numbers of constituents who will avail of the vaccination program. For us to do it, we have to set the tone and compass in one direction, unified our efforts, and provide a direction guided by our mayor and our administrator,” he said.

Marcera bared that their locality has encountered workforce concern during their intensified advocacy program which they resolved through dividing their manpower to cover far-flung communities and 16 barangays of the municipality.

“Sa tinuod-anay [The truth is], it is very difficult to combat this fake news ilabina sa mga tao nga walay information kabahin sa atong vaccine [especially to the people who do not have information about our vaccine]. Thus, our health professionals naghatag sila og oras pagpasabot sa atong katawhan [gave time to make the citizens understand], not only because it is a mandate but because in order to counter this misinformation and fake news,” he said.

Marcera said they also convened with the barangay captains to remind them to enforce appropriate leadership and urge them to mobilize their constituents to successfully carry on the vaccination program.

The municipal government committed to provide logistics support through plotting pick-up and drop-off points in 16 barangays for the benefit of the vaccines.

It also assured that vaccination sites are well ventilated, sanitized and standard minimum health protocols are observed.

Marcera also highlighted that they have been giving out snacks and lunch meals to vaccinees, as well as five kilos of rice to reward them for having faith and trust in the national program. 

Additionally, the municipal administrator consistently broadcasts and advocates in his weekly program the importance of vaccination as they believe that the only solution to curb the COVID-19 pandemic is for everyone to have their vaccines.

Meanwhile, Marcera extended his gratitude to their partner local and food establishments for letting inoculated residents avail of discounts when purchasing as proof that they are in partnership with the business entrepreneurs in the same endeavor. (CRG/PIA-10/ICIC Lanao del Norte)