DILG rallies LGUs to support vaccination program vs measles

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Saturday urged local government units (LGUs) to support the nationwide campaign for vaccination against measles.

Through Memorandum Circular 2019-47, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año directed LGUs to support the Department of Health’s (DOH) nationwide immunization campaign by ensuring active participation of health workers and other officials, and by encouraging their constituents to bring those with suspected measles to the nearest health facility for early treatment, among other actions.

“Let’s not wait for another death. For the longest time, we have measles under control, and we can do it again through the LGUs’ proactive involvement and cooperation of the communities,” Año said in a statement.

The DOH has recorded almost 23,000 cases of measles for this year as of March 19, significantly higher than 2,393 cases reported last year, the DILG said.

“These numbers are alarming even for our President which is why decisive actions must be instituted before it gets out of hand,” Año said.

He said he expects LGUs to be involved in the massive information dissemination campaign and vaccination in schools and communities being spearheaded by the DOH.

In the same memorandum, the DILG chief said LGUs should also coordinate with the health department’s Center for Development Health Regional Office to ensure that all advisories and campaign materials of the DOH regarding measles are disseminated to all households.

LGUs may likewise use percentage of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) for the expenses relative to the immunization campaign and other actions to address the spike of cases of measles, said Año.

“As it escalated to an outbreak, LGUs can use their LDRRMF, subject on its availability and the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations. Mahalaga din na may certification mula sa DOH na talagang may measles outbreak sa nasabing LGU (It is also important that there is certification from the DOH that there is indeed measles outbreak in the said LGU),” he said.

The DILG is also looking at requesting LGUs to extend their immunization schedules beyond regular working hours and possibly even on weekends to accommodate as many children as possible.   /muf