If needed, Montero to get
COVID jabs first as model

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, March 5 (PIA) – If it is necessary to be modeling for her constituents, Panglao Mayor Leonila Montero would be first in line if only to assure that the vaccine is safe, and is what Panglao direly needs to get the wheels of tourism spinning again.

Speaking during the Network Briefing aired over Radyo Pilipinas and broadcast across all Presidential Communications and Operation Office (PCOO) social media account and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) pages, the lady mayor reported that the case in Panglao is a bit different.

When in areas where people are getting the bulk of the sketchy information against the Chinese SinoVac which incidentally is the first vaccine available in the country donated by China out of the landmark of friendship between countries, and where people are reportedly shunning away from inoculations, Panglao, where majority of its people thrive in the scuttled tourism industry, has fewer doubting Thomases.

“Few are having fear as most people here are already expecting the vaccine considering that the industry here is tourism,” the lady mayor told Network Briefing host JV Arcena.

Arcena was sitting on the program for its regular host PCOO Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin Andanar asked Montero about the general sentiments of the people now that the vaccines have arrived and that the general sector could have the vaccines by April or May as what the vaccine czar initially shared.

Much of the high vaccine-acceptability in town, the mayor credits to the information drive of the municipality, through the Municipal Health Office, barangay health workers, Barangay officials who brought the message that vaccination is the next best thing to protect the town from the disease, thereby raising acceptability.

To the few who are still unconvinced, Montero, who led the town in announcing the re-opening Panglao tourism in July of last year, after the Modified General Community Quarantine was declared all over Bohol since March 16, defended her statement that she will be first to be inoculated if needed.

“Importante po talaga, kasi ang mga tao, tumitingin sa atin as leaders,” she declared.

She said, if needed, she, the town medical frontlines, barangay captains and town political leaders may have to take the line first.

For apparent lack of curated information about the vaccines and its expected normal side effects, people are shying away, many fears bolstered by false claims spread on social media.

“My siblings in Europe have been vaccinated, two doses already and they had no problem,” Montero shared.

As to her roll-out in Panglao, the town is still preparing for the advice from the Department of Health, and the Municipal Health Office on the kind of vaccines that will arrive, as she understands, there are vaccines that need complicated handling.

Now with the report of the vaccines already being given to Cebuanos, it may not be long before Boholanos could prioritized medical frontlines could get the jabs.

The mayor also thanked the Inter Agency task Force for lifting the quarantine protocols, except only to those who arrive with symptoms or those who are temporarily awaiting or their swab test results.

On this, the mayor enjoined Panglaoanons who have been out of the town in the last 11 months, we are now accepting you, only those who could not present a negative for COVID test result are set for the quarantine. We will not have problems, because we are all responsible. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)

WILLING TO TAKE THE LEAD. Panglao Mator Leonila Montero said if there is a need to get the COVID jobs first if only to assure her constituents that this is safe and the only redemption for a slumped tourism industry, she would and ask her town officials to also do the same. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)

STILL FAR BEHIND. Even with its reopening of its tourism industry in 2020, local travel restrictions still barred Boholanos from enjoying Panglao that the beach behind, which usually teems with tourists is still unusually empty. Panglao hopes the coming of the vaccines in Bohol changes that. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)