Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. got vaccinated against COVID-19 on March 19. (Photo from the Facebook of Mayor Melecio Yap Jr.)
BACOLOD CITY –– Escalante Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. expressed willingness to answer any show cause order from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) after he was vaccinated against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) ahead of healthcare workers.
“I have not done anything wrong. It was a call of duty to convince healthcare workers to be vaccinated. I am ready to go to jail or accept any penalty for my actions,” Yap said.
The DILG had been directed to investigate mayors who got vaccinated against COVID-19 before the healthcare workers.
DILG provincial head Roselyn Quintana said her office had sent a report to their regional office regarding what happened in Escalante.
“The regional office asked for the report. We are still waiting for further instructions,” she said.
Yap said 150 vaccine doses were sent to the Vicente Gustilo District Hospital in Escalante City.
The hospital administrator, Dr. Vermont Ubaher, allegedly informed the mayor that only 47 healthcare workers were willing to be vaccinated.
Yap said he was placed on the replacement list.
In the country’s vaccination program, first on the priority list are healthcare workers, followed by senior citizens and persons with comorbidities.
Local chief executives as “essential workers” are under Category A4 and are fourth to receive the coronavirus vaccines.