CHD called out anew for ‘uncooperativeness’

CEBU, Philippines —  Councilor Mary Ann De Los Santos has called out anew the Cebu City Health Department (CHD) on its lack of cooperation and delay in responding to concerns of uncoordinated pneumococcal and flu vaccination in the city.

During the regular session last Wednesday, de los Santos called out the CHD for still not responding to the City Council’s queries on the conduct of flu and pneumococcal vaccines in the city, which the former stressed is a sign of the lack of “transparency” by the department.

Last February 7, 2024, de los Santos delivered a privilege speech during the regular Cebu City Council session, where she initially called out CHD for conducting a pneumococcal and flu vaccination at the Barangay Lahug Gym without proper coordination.

The city council then requested the CHD to submit a list of pneumococcal and flu vaccine documents being received attached with dates and specific number of vials, as well as to submit the distribution system of the said vaccines per barangay.

De los Santos then asked the CHD to submit their reply within 15 days upon the receipt of the resolutions.

“But unfortunately, up to this point in time, no reply has been made,” said De Los Santos.

She added that she made a follow-up on these resolutions last April 3, 2024, addressed to Cebu City Mayor Michael, who is now under six months preventive suspension, but to no avail.

According to De Los Santos, the said resolution urges the city mayor to revisit the management of the CHD for the latter’s lack of action on the request of the legislative body.

“Which is tantamount to lack of transparency and seeming disrespect to this august body,” De los Santos told the council. (CEBU NEWS)

De los Santos said she lobbied for a second follow-up on the resolutions last May 29, 2024, now addressing acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia. The said follow-up calls the attention of CHD Head, Dr. Daisy Villa, and to impose sanctions on her for her alleged lack of action on the council’s request.

“Which shows her incompetence to lead the city health department the soonest possible time because it has been too much of a delay already,” said De Los Santos.