DILG urges LGUs to prepare vaccination plans

January 21, 2021

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday urged all local government units (LGUs) to prepare a vaccination plan for their constituents.

Interior Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said the DILG issued a memorandum where LGUs are directed to come up with a vaccination plan that contains the preparation of risk communication plans and early vaccine communication campaign to disseminate critical information on COVID-19 vaccination.

Malaya said the plan should follow the Department of Health (DOH) guidelines on the National Vaccination Program and they must coordinate with their respective DOH-Centers for Health Development in preparing the plan.

He added it must include a master list of priority eligible vaccinee population; identification of possible vaccine centers, available cold chain storages, and other logistical requirements; and a master list of existing human resources and personnel needed in the vaccination program.

The reorganization of existing emergency operation centers in LGUs must include a dedicated arm for vaccine concerns; mobilization of barangay personnel and other volunteers to assist in the preparation and actual vaccination; and, the participation of concerned offices and personnel such as LGU health offices, public information offices and sanitation offices, among others, must also be part of the plan.

"This COVID-19 vaccination will be the biggest of such programs in our history and we encourage all the LGUs to prepare their vaccination plan for we need this to be as smooth as possible since life is at stake here,” Malaya said.

The LGUs must also coordinate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for assistance.

All component cities and municipalities with available funds for vaccine procurement are encouraged to coordinate with their provincial governments.

LGUs seeking authorization for emergency use to buy COVID-19 vaccines must also coordinate with their provincial governments to ensure that there is enough vaccine.

Meanwhile, highly-urbanized cities (HUCs) and independent component cities (ICCs) intending to buy COVID-19 vaccines are encouraged to coordinate with the DOH and National Task Force (NTF) Vaccine Cluster.

LGUs are also advised to buy not more than 50 percent of their vaccine requirement due to the current limited supply.

Most mayors in the National Capital Region (NCR) have procured COVID-19 vaccine from UK-based pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca.

In a press briefing last Wednesday, Metro Manila Council chairman and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez said all NCR mayors are  planning a COVID-19 vaccination simulation exercise just like what Manila did.

“Actually, we are already discussing that. Every LGU will have vaccine simulation so that we can see the time and motion study. That is being discussed and we already prepare that all cities in Metro Manila will conduct that,” Olivarez said.

Olivarez said they will prioritize  frontliners followed by senior citizens and the indigents. Ella Dionisio/DMS