A proposed ordinance that seeks to regulate the movement of unvaccinated individuals in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental underwent a public hearing at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall recently.
The proposed Mobility Regulation Ordinance for Unvaccinated Individuals seeks to prohibit them from entering public and private establishments in San Carlos “to impose security due to threats of possible viral infection.”
The city said 40 percent of its population remained unvaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 due to fear or anticipated health risks, skepticism, religious beliefs, and sheer adamant attitude.
It added that this segment of the population would become susceptible to severe cases of COVID-19 infection and will, in turn, become agents in spreading the virus, thus, the never-ending cycle.
Salient provisions of the proposed law includes the declaration of policy of the local government to protect and promote the right to health of its inhabitants, scope and application, requirement for each individual to be vaccinated with any available COVID-19 vaccines, the restrictions in the mobility of unvaccinated individuals, penalties for any individual or establishment violating particular sections of the ordinance, and the duration of its implementation.
SP Member Jose Carlos Villarante chairman of the Committee on Health, Sanitation and Social Services, presided over the public hearing with Vice Mayor Christopher Paul Carmona and SP Member Benito Gustilo, a press release from the city said, adding that it was attended by representatives of business establishments, barangays, the academe, and other stakeholders.
The Provincial Health Office, meanwhile, assessed the city’s low vaccination rate during the team’s discussions with Mayor Renato Gustilo and the Emergency Operations Center-Vaccine Cluster March 2.
PHO head, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, suggested measures to strengthen the EOC vaccination advocacy, adding that barangay captains should be involved to help improve the inoculation output.
Tumimbang added that he will assign PHO workers who are residents of San Carlos to assist the city’s vaccination program, especially in far-flung areas.
Gustilo said he will schedule a vaccination drive in these areas to focus and achieve a consistent vaccination rate.
He said he and the EOC-VC members will meet barangay captains, especially those in mountainous areas, to discuss the broadening of the vaccination scope. | CGC
