Ilocos Norte gets priority in vaccine shots says PH testing czar

National Action Plan Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Secretary Vicencio Dizon. (PGIN-CMO photo)

By Leilanie G. Adriano (Staff Reporter)

LAOAG CITY—As the province of Ilocos Norte re-strategize to prevent and contain the novel coronavirus infection here, National Action Plan Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Secretary Vicencio Dizon assured officials and residents they are on the priority list to avail of the vaccine once it is available in the country.

Mr. Dizon and other members of the National Task Force on Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) were in Laoag City on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020 to augment the on-going containment strategies being implemented amid surge of cases of COVID-19 in the province.

In a meeting held at the Laoag City Centennial Arena, Mr. Dizon said getting vaccinated is the surest way to move on from the pandemic.

“Ilocos Norte is one of our priority areas specially for our front-liners. Hopefully, the vaccine will arrive by the end of first quarter next year or the second quarter,” said Mr. Dizon in an interview with local reporters.

In the 2021 provincial budget, the local finance committee assured they have set aside funds for vaccine procurement.

But Mr. Dizon said the national government will shoulder the initial procurement of the vaccine to be made available to all local government units in the country.

“Pinapasabi po ni Secretary Carlito Galvez, ang ating chief implementer at vaccine czar, na isa po sa mga priority areas ang Ilocos Norte. Lalong-lalo na ang mga frontliners, medical personnel, kapulisan, mga sundalo, barangay tanod, at lahat na nasa frontline laban sa COVID-19,” Mr. Dizon remarked.

According to him, the “free” vaccine might be available in the country in the first half of 2021.

“Nangako po ang presidente na ang vaccine ay libre. Ito po ay babayaran ng national government lalo na para sa frontliners. Hindi mamomroblema sa gastos ang ating mga probinsia at LGUs pero puwede rin namang bumili ang provincial government at ibang LGU in coordination with the national government,” he continued.

At present, the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Health, in cooperation with the World Health Organization, are thoroughly screening and validating the vaccines to ensure that it is safe for all

In an earlier announcement, presidential spokesperson Herminio "Harry" Lopez Roque Jr. said the Philippines will procure vaccines from China's Sinovac, Pfizer from US, UK's AstraZeneca, and Sputnik V from Russia's Gamaleya. The Philippines has so far secured at least 2.6 million doses from AstraZeneca while other pre-purchase talks are ongoing.

Regardless of where the vaccines will be coming from, Mr. Dizon assured Ilokanos that these will be safely administered to benefit at least 60 million Filipinos to achieve herd immunity.

Meanwhile, at least 2,000 PPEs, 5,000 facemasks, and 4,000 swabbing kits courtesy of the Department of Health were turned over to Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc and Laoag City mayor Michael M. Keon after the meeting.

The Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center also received a high flow cannula machine to be used by severe and critical patients of COVID-19.

As of December 10, 2020, Ilocos Norte has recorded a total of 446 positive cases, 232 of them have recovered with three deaths. (With a report from Blessing Angel V. Agliam)