43,680 health workers in WV vaccinated vs COVID-19

Community pantries sprout across Bacolod City

Joining the movement of sharing basic and essential goods among Filipinos around the country amid the coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, pandemic, several individuals and groups have set up community pantries in various areas in the city yesterday.

Photographs of free food packs, vegetables, and household items displayed on sidewalks, which have been set up by kind-hearted Bacolodnons along with their donors, have been posted on social media.

The pantry opened by Kim Lizares and her friends is located at the corner of 12th and Lacson Streets behind the Avenue Suites hotel, where they also accept donations.

“A good Samaritan volunteered his place for a joint pantry,” Lizares said on Facebook.

They launched the project to “help the poor and the less fortunate,” she said, and got “overwhelmed” by the response from those interested to donate and volunteer.

“This is our own little way to share to the community,” she added.

On Sunday, she announced that they have started buying food items, and called for donations of “anything you can offer.”

Elmundo Lopez, one of the beneficiaries, said he is thankful for the help and considered the free food and other items he received as grace from God.

Meanwhile, more community pantries have been set up around the city.

One is located outside the Milk Tea Project store across the Negros Occidental High School campus on Araneta Street.

The pantry is stocked with canned goods, noodles, condiments, bath soap and toothpaste.

“Let us spread kindness and generosity for those in need,” Vesy Tony said in her post shared on the Milk Tea Project-Bacolod Facebook page.

The Sowing Legacy Movement also opened a pantry outside the Legacy Home in Barangay 27.

“Inspired by the acts and love of our fellow Filipinos,” it said on Facebook.

Another one is the Barangay 38 community pantry, which is giving out mainly vegetables such as squash, eggplant, cabbage, sayote and okra.

“Sharing is caring. Be blessed and be a blessing. Table of hope. Give what you can and get what you need,” read the posters mounted beside the pantry.

On Facebook, Christelle Villaruz said she has set up community pantries stocked with vegetables, food and personal items in front of her two beef “pares” and “tapsilogan” stores.

These are located along Circumferential Road in Barangay Taculing and in front of Concentrix on Lacson Street in Barangay Mandalagan.

She also offered a free “pares” meal to the hungry who don’t have money to buy food.

Another community pantry that offers rice, vegetables and canned goods to the poor has also been set up by the roadside on Malaspina Steet in Barangay Villamonte.

A total of 43,680 frontline health workers in Western Visayas (WV) have already been vaccinated against COVID-19 as of April 18.

According to Dr. Mary Jane Juanico, the number comprises 34.69 percent of the total target eligible population under A1 priority group which is 125,906.

Of the 43,680 health workers, 32,937 received China-made Sinovac vaccines while 10,743 got AstraZeneca vaccines.

Iloilo province has the most number of health workers who got COVID-19 shots at 9,763. Iloilo City followed with 8,470; Negros Occidental - 7,923; Bacolod City - 5,877; Capiz - 4,234; Aklan - 3,594; Antique - 2,234; and Guimaras 1,585.

Meanwhile, 15,198 of the 43,680 health workers have already received their second dose or completed their COVID-19 vaccination using Sinovac vaccines.

Juanico said WV received a total of 50,980 doses of Sinovac vaccines and 10,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines for the first dose.

The consumption rate for Sinovac (first dose) is 64.61 percent or 32,937 while 107.43 percent for AstraZeneca or 10,743 total vaccinated, she said, adding the region’s consumption rate both for Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines is 85.68 percent for the first dose.

For the second dose, Juanico said of the 50,980 doses of Sinovac vaccine allocation, the region’s consumption rate is 29.81 percent or 15,198./