LGU Bayambang Makes Use of Technology to Implement Vaccination Program
The advent of the “new normal” brought by the COVID-19 pandemic has called for the launching of innovations in order to help the people adapt while finding the balance between a safe citizenry and a developing economy. One of the most effective ways in which the municipality can do this is the massive vaccination campaign that aims to build herd immunity among the citizens, so the Local Government Unit of Bayambang has been directing its efforts towards encouraging the people to get vaccinated and providing safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to Bayambangueños.
Here are some of the innovations and steps undertaken by the LGU-Bayambang for an efficient Vaccination Program in the municipality:
Creation of Task Force Bakuna
As early as January 7, 2021, LGU-Bayambang created a Task Force Bakuna to oversee the preparatory work in anticipation of the massive COVID-19 vaccination, and spearhead the implementation of the program once the vaccines arrive. The Task Force prepared the Vaccination Plan based on the guidelines from the Department of Health and communicates with the higher ups for the swift provision of vaccines in the municipality.
Once the Task Force was created, the LGU has been set in finding ways and means to make the vaccine freely available to all willing constituents.
IEC in Full Swing
This was immediately followed by a massive information-education campaign by the Task Force in the different barangays, with the help of the Rural Health Units, Public Order and Safety Office, and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, on top of a special orientation program targeting all 77 barangay captains, an activity that was broadcast on Facebook Live for a wider audience reach.
Vaccination Program Started
In preparation for the first vaccination day, a simulation activity was conducted on March 25 involving top officials to assure the smooth flow of vaccination and to encourage would-be vaccinees in the face of hesitation from a huge majority of our constituents.
The local vaccination program officially began on March 30 at the Pugo Evacuation Center, which was converted into the LGU-Bayambang Vaccination Site. The site is conducive to assembling a large group of people without violating the minimum health protocols and without requiring people, especially seniors, to line up under the heat of the sun or in the rain. To ensure smooth flow, different areas were roped-off and labeled. There was a conspicuous registration area, vaccination area, post-vaccination observation area, counseling area, and so on.
As per IATF's policy, the medical frontliners, lay rescuers, and security forces were the first ones to be vaccinated. Photo-op sessions were conducted, and the photos were quickly published on the official Facebook page as further encouragement to the public.
Later on, Mayor Cezar Quiambao -- with full publicity -- had himself vaccinated to help convince the public to get themselves vaccinated.
ICTO Devises an Electronic Vaccination Management System to Speed Up Client Data Retrieval
The Information and Communications Technology Office created the Bayambang Electronic Vaccination Management System to automate the handling of COVID-19 vaccination data. RHU personnel are now taking advantage of the system using a QR code scanner to scan data printed in the vaccination cards, to pull up the existing record of a vaccinee and serve as basis for giving a 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This small yet significant initiative helps fulfill the vision of Bayambang as a smart (i.e., digitally enabled) town.
The System encompasses 1. vaccinee profiling, 2. vaccinee screening 3. vaccine consent capturing, 4., vaccine dose recording and card printing, 5. vaccine administration database (daily accomplishment, progress), and 6. vaccine after-even following immunization incident management database.
Free Ride to and from the Vaccination Site
To control the influx of people and further encourage them to be vaccinated, the LGU provided free rides from the barangays to the Vaccination Site and back. This is also in consideration of Bayambangueños whose money for the fare going to the site can be used for their more pressing needs.
Local transport groups, whose livelihood was severely affected by pandemic restrictions, were tapped as partners in this initiative. The LGU also makes use of the vehicles previously purchased for the different offices for more efficiency in public service.
The Task Force also assures that each vaccinee gets free snacks after the inoculation.
Advisories
Advisories are posted every now and then on our official Facebook page to update the people on how many people have been vaccinated so far according to the IATF's group prioritization, how many vaccine vials (and what brand) are available, and when the next vaccination dates will be.
Meanwhile, the Task Force Bakuna continues with its information drive in the barangays to convert hearts and minds and turn the previously unwilling into vaccine advocates who will actually show up at the site on vaccination day -- to help contribute to the much-desired herd immunity in the country at the soonest possible time.
Regional Peace and Order Council (POC) Performance Audit for CY 2023
The Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 1 is currently conducting the Regional Peace and Order Council (POC) Performance Audit for CY 2023 today, 09 June 2023, at the DILG RO1 Training Hall.
In his message, OIC-ARD Paulino G. Lalata, Jr., CESO V thanked the members of the POC Audit Regional Assessment Team (RAT) for attending their attendance and contributions during the activity.
The RAT is composed of representatives from the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and National Chaplains of the Philippines.
WORKSHOP ON THE ENROLMENT OF LGU INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN THE SUBAYBAYAN SYSTEM IN LINE WITH RLIP 2023 IMPLEMENTATION
JUNE 7, 2023 | DILG R1 through the Project Development and Management Unit (PDMU) led by Engr. Sharwyn M. Sangel, EnP conducted a Refresher-Workshop on the enrolment of LGU Infrastructure Projects in the SubayBayan System in line with the implementation of RLIP 2023.
RBME of LGU Infrastructure Projects (RLIP) is now on its second year of enactment and aims to measure the performance of LGUs in the implementation of infrastructure projects under the full devolved system of governance.
The activity was held via virtual platform and was attended by over 350 LGU Functionaries, members of LPMCs and representatives of Provincial Governments, Cities and Municipalities of Region 1. DILG Provincial and Field Officers also graced the activity.
DILG Region 1 launches today the Halina't Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay (HAPAG) sa Barangay Project
June 5, 2023 || Happening now at DILG Region 1
DILG Region 1 launches today the Halina't Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay (HAPAG) sa Barangay Project at the DILG R1 Conference Hall and via the zoom platform to support the advocacy of the department in increasing public awareness and promoting active community participation to achieve sustainable agriculture in the country.
Lead by Regional Director Agnes A. De Leon, and OIC-ARD Paulino Lalata Jr., this event is being participated by DILG provincial directors, division chiefs, field officers, regional and provincial personnel, barangay officials and stakeholders.
HAPAG Regional Focal Person Diosdado D. Mendoza discussed the background of the project while David John T. Rondal, Agriculturist II of Department of Agriculture-Region 1 shared the Alternative Methods of Vegetable Gardening.
The next part of today’s activity is the Simultaneous Gardening/Harvesting by DILG Regional Office, Provincial Offices, Field Offices and local government units in the region.
Unveiling of the Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2023-2028
RD Agnes A. De Leon, CESO V together with other Regional Development Council (RDC) I officials witnessed the unveiling of the Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2023-2028 during NEDA RO1’s Knowledge Management (KM) Fiesta held at Hotel Ariana, Bauang, La Union on May 30, 2023.
The RDC I Officials pledged their support to the RDP in attaining a REsilient, All-Inclusive, Competitive, and Healthy (REACH) Region 1 towards a Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Buhay.
Meanwhile, the DILG-Saint Louis College (SLC) Consortium entitled “Management Course for Local Officials and Functionaries in Region 1” was selected among many entries for the Knowledge Sharing Session. Said session aims to showcase best practices of regional line agencies, local government units, and private sectors on existing innovations, their contribution to the attainment of KM and to the socio-economic development of the region. Mr. Christopher Maynes II, the Program Head, Master in Public Administration, School of Advanced Studies of SLC presented the consortium.
“We are one with NEDA in enhancing knowledge transfer and innovation through Communities of Practice. This DILG-SLC Consortium is our strategic way of capacitating our LGU officials, functionaries, and other interested students. Our deepest gratitude to NEDA for selecting this consortium to be presented today,” RD De Leon, CESO V said.
The KM Fiesta 2023 with the theme: “Sinnaranay: Enhancing Knowledge Transfer and Innovation through Communities of Practice (COP)” is now in its 3rd year of showcasing and appreciating the significance of KM in advancing socioeconomic development.
Over 12k runners joined the BIDA Fun Run in Region 1
Over 12,000 participants from various sectors in the entire Ilocos Region joined the Buhay Ingatan, Droga Ayawan (BIDA) Bayanihan ng Mamamayan Fun Run in Dagupan City on April 30, 2023.
Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr., led the runners in an effort to encourage the public especially the youth to be physically fit and participate in productive endeavors to avoid getting involved in illegal drug activities.
“The main purpose of the BIDA Fun Run is not the activity itself. Simula lang po ang BIDA. Ang totoong mithiin ay ang pagpapatuloy ng kampanya ng mga LGUs even after the event has passed” said Secretary Abalos in his message during the opening ceremony of the fun run.
After the fun run, Secretary Abalos together with his Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, Region 1 Directors of DILG, PNP, BJMP, PDEA, BFP, PIA and Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez, received the local media in a press conference to further highlight the BIDA Program campaign and provide clarifications on some local issues. An interfacing activity with the local chief executives in Pangasinan followed the press conference.
Other noteworthy activities that took place in the afternoon were the City Jail visitation and the groundbreaking ceremony of the Rehabilitation of Slope Protection Project under the Financial Assistance to Local Government Unit (FALGU) in the municipality of Sta. Barbara.
