Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas is hoping for a “brighter” and “happier” Christmas for Ilonggos this year.

“Thanks to vaccination, COVID-19 will now be a thing of the past and we are on the verge of eradicating its effects,” said Treñas.

Based on data from the Department of Health (DOH-6), 86 percent of the city’s target population are already vaccinated against COVID-19.

To achieve herd immunity, at least 90 percent of the population need to be vaccinated, according to the health department.

“Immunization has been proven effective in combating infectious diseases and reducing mortality rates for hundreds of years.Today, vaccination can prevent serious illnesses brought by the deadly virus and in controlling or even eliminate this disease,” Treñas stressed.

The mayor said the city government “had been extending its vaccination program as it is crucial in terms of ensuring the overall health and well-being of the people of the metro and those nearby.”

“We need to do this so we can finally go back to normal soon and open face-to-face classes for improved learning, open more businesses for economic recovery, and have a better Christmas for everyone,” Treñas added.

The city is currently under Alert Level 3. It has 377 active COVID-19 cases as of Nov. 2.IMT/Photo by Eduard Dionio