Leonardia rallies marginal folk to get vaccinated

BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia has rallied senior citizens and other Barangay Banago residents belonging to the urban poor sector to get inoculated soonest and help educate their families about Covid-19 as their contribution to the city government's campaign against the pandemic.

"You know how important vaccines are. Most of those in the hospitals today are the unvaccinated. Please help us educate and encourage others to get vaccinated, especially your family members," said Leonardia, who led officials during the first payout Wednesday, September 22, at the Banago Elementary School I Gym of 111 recipients of medical and burial assistance extended by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) through the agency's End Local Communist Armed Conflict-Local Government Support Fund-Support to Barangay Development Program.

The City's Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) distributed P511,000 worth of medical and burial assistance.

Of the 111 beneficiaries, 77 received medical assistance, while 34 others got burial aid.

Since the start of the pandemic early last year, Leonardia said, he had visited Barangay Banago the most among the city's villages.

DILG-Western Visayas Project Evaluation Officer Jomar Lingaya said his agency is monitoring the status of the projects, evaluating the required documents, and providing technical assistance on any issues and concerns related to its implementation.

Also joining the ceremonies were DILG-Bacolod Director Ma. Joy Maredith Madayag, Banago Punong Barangay Ricky Mijares, Executive Assistants Butch Soliguen and Moises Dela Cruz, DSSD head Pacita Tero, BCPO Mobile Patrol Unit head Lt. Col. Ariel Pico and Banago Elementary School I Principal Rechilda Tan, among others.

Katherine Baron, one of the recipients of medical assistance, expressed her gratitude for the help extended by the government, saying that it came at a time when a marginalized resident like her is hard-pressed to make both ends meet in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

"At present, life is really hard. But I am very thankful to the government for the support that I was given, especially for my mother who is suffering from cancer," the teary-eyed Baron confided.

She added: "I really appreciate the assistance because of the relief that it provides us. I am praying for them (officials) and hope that they will continue to help us." (PR)