BY ADRIAN P. NEMES III
The Bacolod City government is urging businessmen to shoulder the expenses for the vaccine needs of their employees.
Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said that, in as much as the city government wants to have all residents vaccinated for free, it will only be limited to those who will be identified as top priorities.
That is why it will help a lot if businessmen will pledge to share an amount for the purchase of the vaccines for their employees, Leonardia said.
He said he is in favor of a resolution pushed by Councilor Dindo Ramos, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Laws and Ordinances, that seeks to mandate the business sector to procure anti-Covid vaccines for their employees.
He stressed that vaccine procurement is necessary and should be part of the economic recovery program.
Councilor Renecito Novero, who chairs the SP Committee on Trade and Commerce, said he is meeting with the business sector soon to discuss the matter.
Novero said it is part of the businessmen’s social responsibility, adding, that they should invest on the health security of their employees and clients.
Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of the Metro Bacolod Chamber and Commerce and Industry, said they are willing to shoulder the expenses for the procurement of the vaccines of their employees.
But Carbon said the city government should also present its economic recovery plan that should include a massive job generation.
“If the people have jobs, it would increase their purchasing power and it would benefit the business sectors in Bacolod,” he said. Carbon added that they want to meet with the National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office 6 representatives to discuss their economic development plan.*
