- MITCH M. LIPA
Don Salvador Benedicto Mayor Marxlen dela Cruz said almost 30 percent of the locals are hesitant to get vaccinated, so the municipal government will strengthen its house to house campaign on the benefits of the anti-COVID vaccines.
Dela Cruz said the town was given a target of 5,687 residents to be administered the shots during the three-day national vaccination rollout, but the Municipal Health Office only vaccinated about 70 percent.
He said residents in remote barangays are not convinced about the benefits of vaccination, even as the local government is giving goods to those willing to receive the vaccines.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier said that about 20 percent of the total populace of Negros Occidental is hesitant to receive the vaccines due to lack of right information.
Dela Cruz, meanwhile, said that the contracts of job order casuals will not be renewed, starting next month, if they are not fully vaccinated. There are around 150 job order workers in the town.
The mayor also issued an executive order banning the entry of unvaccinated persons in public places, like the market.
The town also requires all workers in tourism-related businesses to be vaccinated. — MML
