Ten local government units of La Union province will each receive PHP1 million to fund their proposed programs, projects, and activities in healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development, as an incentive from the provincial government for their vaccination drives.

The provincial government will also provide them PHP50,000 worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) for their front-liners.

“Any projects or programs that justifiably could help in building a stronger La Union, more likely the present times call for healthcare projects but it could also be on infrastructure, livelihood, and social services, among others,” said Camille Bumatay, officer-in-charge at the Provincial Information Office, in a text message on Thursday.

The LGUs are the towns of Agoo, Bacnotan, Balaoan, Bangar, Burgos, Caba, San Juan, Sudipen, Tubao; and San Fernando City.

“They will be preparing project proposals aligned with the ‘Stronger La Union Strategy’ for the approval and funding of the provincial government,” as stated in a post on Wednesday.

The LGUs attained 80 percent and above vaccination rate for the first dose in their localities by Dec. 8, 2021.

Aside from the LGUs, individual winners composed of 20 senior citizens, 20 from the general public, and 20 from the 12 to 17 age group also won PHP5,000 worth of food packs.

Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) Vaccination Incentives Program (VIP) aims to increase the vaccination statistics in the province by incentivizing LGUs with at least 80 percent of their target population inoculated.

As of January 11, the province is at 77.02 percent to population protection for fully vaccinated and 90.75 percent for partially vaccinated, according to the provincial government.

“With the collaboration of the PGLU and all component LGUs and the consistent participation of kaprobinsiaan (provincemate) and other stakeholders, herd immunity is within reach and we shall all together build a Stronger La Union, a province worth living in,” the same post said. (PNA)