AGSUR TOWN FAST-TRACKS VACCINATION ROLLOUT

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

In time with the scheduled Network Briefing News hosted by Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Wednesday, Mayor Michael Lim of La Paz, Agusan del Sur shared the local government unit’s efforts in addressing the issues and concerns related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in the municipality and the conduct of vaccination to eligible priority sectors.

Mayor Lim said that last year, they were able to have zero COVID-19 cases but by January of this year, they once again recorded new cases.

“We really fought to control it. We tightened our border-to-border checkpoints and followed the order of the InterAgency Task Force, and we met with our barangay captains to remind them of requirements like swab tests from those

who would enter the municipality. Those with complete requirements are turned over to the barangay and undergo home quarantine and monitored by our health officers,” he said.

The local chief executive also highlighted that they are fast-tracking the conduct of vaccination in the barangays.

“We have vaccinated 100% of our A1 priority group. For A2, we struggled a little bit because we had to go house to house for the elderly in our barangays to educate them and make them understand the importance of the vaccine.

So far, the percentage of our A2 or our senior citizens has increased. And for A3 and A4, we are almost at 100%,” said Lim.

La Paz is one of 13 municipalities (and one city) of Agusan del Sur in Caraga region. It is a river town municipality composed of 80% of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) particularly the Manobos. “Our place is accessible. Traveling from Butuan City, you will pass by Bayugan City, Talacogon, and then La Paz,” said Mayor. (JPG/ PIA-Caraga) August 14-20, 2021 | 19