Some provinces in the country have appealed for an additional vaccine and ventilators against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) amid rising cases of the disease in their areas.
The province of Albay said that there are not enough COVID-19 vaccines coming to their area, even if it is only for vulnerable sectors.
That is why Gov. Al Francis Bichara called for an additional allocation, especially since almost half of the 4,000 COVID-19 cases in their province are active.
“Ang dumating sa amin is 6,000 plus – vials ‘no; pero ang dapat bakunahan namin ay 46,000 from A1 to A4. Nagkakaroon ng local transmission lalo na iyong mga government personnel at saka iyong mga sa mga bangko, iyong mga tellers, iyong cashier, iyong mga essential workers,” said Bichara.
The mayor of Iloilo City also continues to call for more vaccines.
According to Iloilo Mayor Jerry Treñas, the city received only 66,000 COVID-19 vaccines out of the 84,000 doses allocated for them.
“I don’t know where the 17,000 doses went. Sumulat ako kay (DOH-Western Visayas director Emilia) Monicimpo, walang sagot sa’kin… Alam ko sa NCR, ang dami-daming bakunang binibigay diyan. Sa amin, 2,800! Tapos sasabihin pa nila, kalahati lang magamit mo! Bakit ang palagay ng mga secretary natin ang NCR Plus 8 lang ang Pilipinas. Pilipino rin ako,” said Treñas.
Extra vaccines, ventilators requested by some provinces
He also said that he did not feel the help of the One Hospital Command Center there.
Apart from the lack of health workers, there is also a lack of ventilators, high flow oxygen cannulas, and anti-COVID-19 drugs.
Malacañang, on the other hand, ensured that the government’s vaccination priority includes areas with high COVID-19 cases.
“We will address that.. So ‘wag po kayo mag-alala. The President has ordered equitable distribution Ibig sabihin ang priority na po natin is Metro Manila plus 8 plus 10. Yung plus 10 areas are the areas na nakaka-experience po ngayon ng surges,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
An additional 35,100 vaccines arrived in Cagayan de Oro City, in addition to the 120,000 doses that arrived on Tuesday. But according to CDO 1st District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, the city also lacks respirators.
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