TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, March 3 (PIA) -- Antequera Mayor Lilioso Nunag emphasized the need to intensify their efforts to achieve herd immunity so that the people could step into the new normal.

While feeling the brunt of the restrictions affecting their local cottage industry and the marketing slump in the global economy, the mayor said during the Network Briefing News on March 2 that adjusting to the new normal is critical to his town’s recovery.

While Bohol is still accomplishing 58% vaccination to give full protection to its residents from COVID-19, Antequera logged a 52.54% vaccination accomplishment based on records from the Rural Health Unit as of Feb. 27.

This figure could be higher considering Antequera’s proximity to the economic hub in Tagbilaran City, which has afforded the chance to have city-based workers vaccinated in the city for work requirements.

To achieve their target quickly, the local government unit (LGU) has initiated an incentive system through cash and in-kind prizes as well as infrastructure projects in barangays that can achieve 70% herd immunity.

To reach the outlaying communities in the town, the LGU has set up mobile vaccination drives in the Antequera’s 21 barangays and puroks, the mayor said.

Nunag bared that the town has to rise up after getting hit by COVID-19 and the devastating effects of typhoon Odette which hit Bohol on Dec. 16, 2021.

Antequera’s local economy is hinged in its backyard cottage industry in basket weaving.

It has been well defined by the quality and volume of the baskets they sell to the resorts, malls, and hotels in Bohol as well as international buyers, most of which also were affected by the pandemic.

While on Alert Level 2, the town also implemented loosened health and safety protocols so that local businesses can start their runs, the mayor said during the interview.

At the beginning of the year, the town has decided to help the community by extending the deadlines for business permits and licenses as well as for the real property taxes to give ample time for the people to recover without incurred penalties for late registrations, permits, and licenses.

Together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Antequera facilitated for the government livelihood stimulus funds of P8,000 each for the 50 micro-business beneficiaries, especially those affected by the pandemic and the calamity.

Aside from this, for sustainability of the livelihood assistance in sari-sari store starter packs, Antequera has institutionalized the Negosyo Center, manned by a business counselor who can provide basic help and capacity-building for the town’s aspiring entrepreneurs.

DTI and the Department of Agriculture (DA) have also offered the town zero-interest loans, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development has given Livelihood Assistance Grants to selected individuals, apart from the release of P3,000 Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations for the town’s 1,600 displaced workers.

The mayor also cited the Tulong Pangkabuhayan para sa Displaced Workers (TUPAD) of the Department of Labor and Employment, the P3-M hog production through swine dispersal from DA, the P2-M bio shredders, and the trickle effects of the President’s “Build, Build, Build” program. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)