IT is nice to hear government wanting to increase its herd immunity target for vaccination against CoViD 19 from the original 70 percent to as much as 90 to 100 percent of the population.
Yes, meanwhile that there are vaccines available and that the people are now showing interest of getting vaccinated then let the mass inoculation proceed. After all, it is to the benefit of the Filipino people if all are given the protection against the dreaded virus. Is not it that the best way to fight a battle of this kind is to be on the offensive? And getting the people to be given the preventive measure in vaccination gives them the better headway in defeating the pandemic.
We can only hope that those who believe that refusing to be vaccinated is one way of invoking their constitutionally guaranteed human freedom will realize that their enjoyment of such will not deny others of their right to be protected from the deadly virus. Meaning, instead of convincing others that vaccines are detrimental to humans they just encourage people to do things they believe are most beneficial to them.
We believe that those who are advocating for non-acceptance of vaccination are not really acting on their own conviction. Rather, it is our take that some, if not all of them are working at the instance of vested interest groups, whoever or whatever they may be.
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For the past few days we haven’t heard of reports from the local task force on vaccination against CoViD on increases in the number of new infections in Davao City. In fact, it’s been days that the national figure of new infections has been in the range of 500 or a little over.
What has been significantly highlighted though is the effort of government to thwart any possibility of the new CoViD variant of concern, the Omicron, gaining entry in the Philippines. Clearly this is one indication that the measures taken by the country’s health authorities lately are effective.
Davao City for example, is slowly getting back on its feet economically after being placed in the Category 2 of the pandemic prevalence. In other words restrictions are eased a little and the people are starting to do economic activities that for about two years have been denied them by circumstance.
With this many are hoping for a much livelier and happier Christmas celebration this year than it was during the 2020 holiday season. But still, let discipline continue to reign in the minds and hearts of our fellow Davaoenos. By doing so it would be “Happy all” this Christmas.
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This past two weeks or so we have read for at least three or four times a post at Facebook by Councilor Danny Dayanghirang who is now putting a credible challenge to incumbent second district congressman Vincent Garcia.
Danny is particularly proud in having sponsored the 1.4 billion peso 2022 budget of the local government of Davao City. And rightly so for such bragging right because councilor Dayanghirang is the chair of the powerful Council Committee on Finance, Ways and Means Committee.
However, we have yet to see the breakdown of the budget for next fiscal year. Thus, we are having our fingers crossed that the 12.4 billion peso budget includes allocations to fund certain critical projects that the city intends to implement or undertake in the next few years.
For example, we learned that there is a completed project feasibility study for Davao City to have its own hospital. Also is has already started the operation of a city college intended for the less privileged Davao learners.
We supposed that if the city is serious in having its own hospital then our councilors or the Executive Department, should have included in the budget allocations for the construction of a city hospital building, procurement of medical equipment, funding for medical and lay personnel to man the operation, and of course, for all opening expenditures if the desire is to really have a real functional wellness center.
And what about the operation of the city college which we are well aware of, is already in place for the last two school years? Does the 12.4 billion budget include funds for the construction of the college own buildings? Does it have fund allocation for the payment of salaries and wages of its personnel such as teachers and others?
It is a petty that Davao City, a highly urbanized city and a leading revenue generator among such category of local government units would have its own college squatting on facilities of other government schools like the Davao City National High School and other public learning institution buildings.
May be it is not much a hustle for the aspiring congressman to inform the public through this space the answer to our questions. Thank you Congres… errr.. Councilor Danny in advance.
