CR: BLGS-2021-11-09-009

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Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
DILG-NAPOLCOM Center, EDSA cor. Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City
www.dilq.qov.ph

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR
No. 2021-136
TO : ALL PROVINCIAL GOVERNORS, CITY MAYORS,
MUNICIPAL MAYORS, DILG REGIONAL DIRECTORS
AND THE BARMM MINISTER OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT

SUBJECT : RAMPING UP OF THE VACCINATION EFFORTS OF

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

DATE DEC 02 2021

1. Background

1.1. The President, in his talk to the people address last November 3, 2021,
underscored the need to address the gaps and delays in the distribution of
COVID-19 vaccines in the countryside. To expedite the deployment and
inoculation of vaccines throughout the country , he issued ta directive to the
Department of the Interior and Local Government to impose necessary
sanctions against local government units (LGU) and local chief executives
(LCE) who are not performing nor using the doses given to them in the most
expeditious manner.

1.2. DILG Memorandum dated October 17, 2021 with subject: " TIMELY
DISTRIBUTION AND ADMINISTRATION OF AVAILABLE VACCINES,
PREVENTION OF VACCINE WASTAGE, AND INCREASING PUBLIC
INFORMATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF COVID-19 VACCINES ” which
includes directives on the adoption of measures to ensure that vaccines are
efficiently distributed, and vaccine wastage appropriately addressed .

2. Purpose

This Memorandum Circular is issued to remind local government units, and

local chief executives to ramp up their vaccination efforts and adopt measures
to adequately meet the country’s vaccination targets.

“Matino, Mahusay at Maaasahan”

Trunkline No.: 8876-34-54
3. Scope and Coverage

Provincial Governors, City Mayors, Municipal Mayors, DILG Regional,

Provincial and City Directors, and City and Municipal Local Government
Operations Officers and all others concerned.

4. Policy Content and Guidelines

4.1. All provinces, cities and municipalities are reminded to undertake measures
to ensure that:

4.1.1. All vaccine supplies that are received at their LGU level
shall be efficiently managed, therefore preventing
spoilage and wastage.

Vaccine supplies that are received by the provinces shall

be distributed to component LGUs within three (3) days
from the date of delivery or transfer, considering the
period of expiration of the vaccine supply or batch.

Vaccine supplies that are received by cities and

municipalities shall be administered to qualified
recipients within fifteen (15) days or a maximum of thirty
(30) days from the date of delivery or transfer .

4.1.2. To address vaccine hesitancy among constituents, each

local government unit shall have an existing , effective,
and well-crafted LGU Risk Communication Plan as
required by existing policies of the national government,
and that said plans are carried out by all responsible
offices and personnel of the LGU . The purpose of which
is to ensure maximum acceptance of the vaccines by
their constituents, and increase their willingness to be
vaccinated;

4.1.3. All cases of negligence or lack of foresight of their

employees and personnel responsible for vaccine
wastage must be properly investigated, and necessary
sanctions shall be administered or warranted; and

4.1.4. All persons who shall attempt or actually stall or prevent

the efficient and continuous implementation of the
vaccination program and all its related activities shall be
properly dealt with based on existing laws and policies .

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 5. Actionable Conduct on the Part of Local Chief Executives

5.1. The Department will take appropriate action/s against Local Chief
Executives for any of the following conducts:

5.1.1. Failure to efficiently manage vaccine supply. For

LCEs of Provinces, the same is constituted when
there is a failure to distribute to component LGUs
within three (3) days from the date of delivery or
transfer , considering the period of expiration of the
vaccine supply or batch. For LCEs of Cities and
Municipalities , failure to efficiently manage vaccine
supplies take place when the same is not
administered to qualified recipients within fifteen (15)
days or a maximum of thirty ( 30) days from the date
of delivery or transfer .

5.1.2. Failure to have and/or implement the LGU Risk

Communication Plan which aims to address vaccine
hesitancy among constituents.

5.1.3. Failure of the LGU to investigate cases of vaccine

spoilage and wastage and/or imposition of
appropriate sanctions against erring employees and
personnel responsible for said spoilage/wastage.

5.1 . 4 . Stalling and or preventing the implementation of the

vaccination program and all its related activities. .

5.1.5. Failure of the LGU to prevent activities/conduct

which stall the vaccination program and all its related
activities.

6. Possible Remedies Against Erring Local Chief Executives or LGU

Personnel

6.1. Negligence in the handling and storage of Covid-19 Vaccines

6.1. 1. For Government Employees- An Administrative

Case may be filed with the Civil Service Commission
against the employee for negligence. Negligence
may constitute either Gross Neglect of Duty or
Simple Neglect of Duty.

6.1. 2 . For Elective Officials- Dishonesty , oppression,

misconduct in office, gross negligence , or dereliction
of duty which is a ground for disciplinary action under
Section 60 of the Local Government Code

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 6.2. Stalling or preventing the implementation of the Vaccination
Program

Section 9 and 10 of R . A . No. 11332 or the “Mandatory Reporting of

Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act”
provides:

Sec. 9. Prohibited Acts. - The following shall be prohibited under this

Act:
b . Tampering of records or intentionally providing misinformation
d . Non-cooperation of persons or entities that should report and/or
respond to notifiable diseases or health events of public concern.

Sec. 10. Penalties. - Any person found to have violated Section 9 of this
Act shall be penalized with a fine of not less than Twenty thousand pesos
( P20, 000.00) but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50 , 000.00) or
imprisonment of not less than one ( 1 ) month but not more than six (6)
months, or both such fine or imprisonment, at the discretion of the proper
court.

7. Regional Monitoring and Feedback

All DILG Regional Offices and the BARMM Minister of the Interior and Local
Government shall submit a Special Report to the Office of the Secretary in
cases wherein an LGU within their area of jurisdiction has been monitored
to be negligent in performing its duties relative to the conduct of COVID-
19 vaccination.

8. Effectivity

This Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately .

DILG Regional Directors and the BARMM Minister of the Interior and Local
Government shall cause the widest dissemination of this Memorandum Circular
within their area of responsibility.

9. Approving Authority

EDUARDO
Secretary'-

BLGS-2021-10-08-010
BLGS/PCMD/MRF/EVD

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DILG

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