ANGELES City in Pampanga has achieved herd immunity.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año confirmed this Tuesday, December 27, saying Angeles is one of the 23 highly-urbanized cities in the country that have achieved such status.
Año made the announcement during President Rodrigo Duterte’s Talk to the People aired on December 7.
Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. congratulated the Angeles City Vaccination Team for their ramp-up vaccination efforts.
“Nakamit po natin ito dahil sa mga masisipag nating kawani ng City Government,” Lazatin said.
To date, 321,977 Angeleños received their first dose of vaccines, while 264,824 were already fully vaccinated.
He launched the blended scheme vaccination drive in the city -- the Ronda Bakuna and the Sundo Bakuna sa Barangay programs -- with IC Calaguas, the chief implementer of the City Government's vaccination program.
In fact, Angeles City is the only local government unit with this vaccination strategy, which was also commended by the World Health Organization.
The Ronda Bakuna sa Barangay is the delivery of vaccination service right at the doorsteps of Angeleño families using three mobile bus clinics, while the Sundo Bakuna sa Barangay program picks up Angeleños from barangays and takes them to the city’s two mega vaccination sites with free transportation services provided — six Philippine Rabbit buses and 10 jeepneys.
Apart from these strategies, the two mega vaccination sites at the City College of Angeles and Angeles City National High School are operational.
Lazatin, in his state of the city address last June, said Angeles City will achieve herd immunity by the end of 2021.
“Ito lang po ang magiging panlaban natin sa virus,” he said.
Lazatin said, however, that the city will not slow down in its efforts to inoculate all residents.
He said this will not be possible if not for the 400 staff working non-stop for the vaccination service.
He continued to commend the members of the vaccination teams, including Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center led by Dr. Froilan Canlas, City Health Office led by Dr. Verona Guevarra, CHO Nurse Supervisor Evelinda Mariano, Gender and Development Office headed by Mina Cabiles, Angeles City Economic Development Investment and Promotions Officer-in-Charge Irish Bonus-Llego and staff, Business Permit and Licensing Division led by Evangeline Malonzo, Barangay Outreach Program and Angeles City Tourism Auxiliary led by Michael Lising, Mayor's Office Records Section Head Jermaine Jam Aguila, Angeles City Traffic Development Office headed by Francis Pangilinan, City Nutrition Office led by Donatila Guanzon, Angeles City Tourism Officer-in-Charge Anneleen Antonio-Sugui and staff, Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office led by Rodolfo Simeon, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Edna Duaso and staff, Quality Management System led by Chrysalene Cunanan, Blood Bank headed by Jennifer Balatbat, City Environment and Natural Resources Office led by Archimedes Lazatin, and City College of Angeles.