The National Task Force (NTF) against the coronavirus disease 2019 and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday recognized top-performing local government units (LGUs) in Covid-19 response, in an in-person awarding ceremony in Pasay City.
Notable LGUs were hailed for advancing the whole-of-government approach to ensure the balance between public health and economy, particularly on the imposition of the Safety Seal Certification Program, VaxCert PH, and the National Vaccination Program.
Among these efforts, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año noted that the issuance of safety seals to establishments that are compliant with public health protocols is significant, considering the country has maintained to be in a low Covid-19 classification level while preparing for the transition to the new normal.
“Truly its implementation in May 2021 was a game-changer in the attempt to live with the virus in our midst., and since then we have accomplished a major leap of victory,” he said.
Año mentioned that some 75,310 safety seals were issued to businesses and other establishments nationwide, with the National Capital Region (NCR) having the highest number of issuances.
Top performing cities for the safety seal issuance include Quezon City in Metro Manila; Dasmariñas, Cavite; San Carlos, Pangasinan; Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya; and Santiago, Ilocos Sur.
Moreover, Secretary Vince Dizon, Presidential Adviser for Covid-19 response, expressed his gratitude to all participating LGUs, private stakeholders, and even the public for their active engagement in the country’s vaccination drive.
He said more than 140 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have so far been administered nationwide, with over 65 million people fully vaccinated and almost 12 million who got booster shots.
“If we did not come together as one, we would not be here today, our people will not be able to go to the mall, establishments won’t be able to get back their sales, people would not be working again if not for everybody here, and the countless others who have reached in their little way,” Dizon said.
The inoculation numbers were highest in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, and Cavite.
Meanwhile, Marikina City; Antipolo City, Rizal; San Simon, Pampanga; Iloilo City; Roxas City, Capiz; Caluya, Antique; Davao City; and Malaybalay City and Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon excelled in the utilization of VaxCertPH.
Source: Philippines News Agency
