FILE PHOTO
The surge of coronavirus disease 2019 cases (Covid-19) in Western Visayas was because the OCTA Research Group recommended that most vaccine doses should be allocated in the NCR Plus region.
Iloilo City Mayor Geronimo Treñas made this comment during a virtual briefing called by Malacanang to listen to local executives.
“We have been informing Secretary Galvez we need medical personnel, equipment, Covid-19 meds, and vaccines because ultimately what will give protection to our constituents would be the vaccine,” Treñas said.
“OCTA had recommended that 90% of these vaccines will be allocated to NCR Plus 8 and now, this is the result of their recommendation,” he added.
Treñas gave this statement following the rise of Covid-19 infections in Region 6, including his city.
“It’s about time that we should listen also to the local leaders. It’s the local leader who understands what’s happening to us,” Treñas said.
“It’s not OCTA who understand what’s happening to our constituents,” he added.
The local executive said that some cities outside the NRC Plus are in critical condition because of OCTA’s recommendation.
“We are from Region 6… But we are also Filipinos and we are also affected like the people in the NCR Plus 8,” Treñas said.
According to OCTA’s June 18 report, Iloilo is now one of areas of concerns as well as President Duterte’s hometown of Davao City, Bacolod City, Cagayan de Oro City , Dumaguete City, Butuan City, Tacloban City, Polomolok in South Cotabato, and Tuguegarao City.
However, OCTA’s Dr. Guido David said the decision to prioritize NCR Plus for Covid-19 vaccines came from the national government.
“Also we are not the official advisory group of the IATF. We submit recommendations which the IATF may or may not decide to implement,” Guido said in an interview with GMA News. Ronald Espartinez