NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Monday, January 25, 2021, said he is willing to be vaccinated first if there is a need to convince the public to undergo the free vaccination that will be given by the government.

Lacson said if that will help encourage hesitant Negrenses, he is willing to do so.

"It was not until Pope Francis had his vaccine and said that it is our moral duty to protect ourselves as we protect the others," he said.

"I am willing to take the vaccines the pope had," the governor added.

Lacson said the vaccine used by the pope was probably the AstraZeneca vaccine as it came from the United Kingdom.

"There are no negative reports on the company's vaccine as there is already massive vaccination in the country," Lacson said.

The national government has given assurance that all vaccines are safe, he added.