Author: Jerome Marzan

With the Provincial Government of La Union’s goal of rolling out CoViD-19 Vaccines to priority groups faster, PGLU’s CoViD-19 Vaccination Task Force conducts ocular inspection at the identified mega vaccination site located in Father Burgos Gym, Saint Louis College, City of San Fernando, La Union yesterday, June 18, 2021.
The said hub offers adequate space to cater 150 residents from different local government units per hour. In addition to that, measures for indoor settings such as proper ventilation were enough to ensure the safety of the residents waiting inside the said facility to get their CoViD-19 vaccine jab.
Strengthening efforts and providing strategic solutions to public health system is one of the PGLU’s commitment in order to protect the residents against CoViD-19. PGLU is committed to vaccinate every Kaprobinsiaan, so that together we can achieve the recovery of our economy. #BakunaMuna

In adherence to the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, the Provincial Government of La Union, through the Environment and Natural Resources Office partnered with the Land Transportation Office Regional Office I (LTO-I), Environmental Management Bureau Regional Office I (EMB-I), Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group and the Local Government Unit of San Juan, La Union in conducting a roadside Vehicle Emission Testing on June 18, 2021 at Brgy. Ili Sur, San Juan, La Union.
The emission test was initiated by the EMB-I using their gas analyzer for gas-fueled vehicles and opacimeter for diesel-fueled vehicles. A total of 66 vehicles were inspected and tested. Three (3) gas-fueled vehicles and six (6) diesel-fueled vehicles failed the emission test. The drivers were apprehended by LTO and were advised to check-up vehicles that failed the test.
The activity aims to ensure that vehicles in La Union are strictly complying with the health and safety guidelines of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, including the roadworthiness standard. Smoke belching is not only harmful to the environment, but it also poses health problems since breathing polluted air would lead to numerous illnesses.
As stated in Section 1 (Roadside Inspection) of Rule XXXV (Roadside Inspection of Motor Vehicles) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Republic Act 8749 also known as the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, vehicles found emitting excessive smoke while operating in any public highway shall be subjected to an emission test by properly equipped enforcement teams from LTO or its duly deputized agents. Violators will be subject to fines/penalties.

Equipped with the required storage facility for Pfizer vaccines, the Provincial Government of La Union, headed by Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III, received today, June 18, 2021, the first batch of the said vaccine brand which includes four trays or 780 vials for first dose allocated for A1-A3 priority list as the #BakunaMuna Program of the province continues.

The Department of Health (DOH) turned over two trays containing 195 vials each to the Provincial Health Office (PHO) while one tray each were turned over to Bacnotan District Hospital (BDH) and La Union Medical Center (LUMC).

To ensure proper handling and administration of the vaccine without spoilage, a dry run of the handling and inoculation of the Pfizer Vaccine will be conducted on Monday, June 21, 2021 before the actual vaccination on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 for the PHO and Wednesday, June 23, 2021 for BDH and LUMC. The province targets 250 to 300 vaccinees per day, per venue and to administer all vaccines within the week.

In a meeting with District Hospital Chiefs and Officers-In-Charge, PGLU CoViD-19 Vaccination Program Task Force Focal Person and Vaccination Operations Manager Dr. Dan William Dacanay emphasized that the capacity of the province to handle the Pfizer vaccines is a testament of the efficiency of the vaccination program of La Union. “When we can carry the Pfizer Vaccines, we will be able to determine if we can carry all other vaccine brands,” he said.

The PGLU has purchased three units of Ultra Low 512L, -70ºC Freezers in March in preparation for the arrival of the Pfizer Vaccines considered as the most temperature-sensitive CoViD-19 vaccine brand required to be stored within -60ºC to -80ºC.

A total of 35,100 doses of the said vaccines was turned over to Region 1 on June 15, 2021 and as of writing, only the provinces of La Union and Pangasinan have received vials within the region.

While the arrival of the Pfizer Vaccines is expected to bring higher demand for CoViD-19 vaccination in general, Gov. Pacoy reminds the public to remain vigilant despite getting inoculated, saying, “The best vaccine is the one available. We continue to observe the minimum health standards even after getting the complete dose of vaccines.”