BALILIHAN, Bohol — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Bohol Chapter has strengthened its support for the 2026 Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA), with the Municipality of Balilihan selected as its partner Local Government Unit (LGU) in Bohol for the campaign.
Dubbed “Ligtas Tigdas 2026,” the campaign aims to protect children aged 6 to 59 months against measles and rubella while helping close immunization gaps, particularly among unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children.
The campaign in Balilihan was formally launched on August 10, 2026, at the Assemblyman Eladio I. Chatto Sports Complex, bringing together local government officials, health workers, Philippine Red Cross personnel and volunteers, parents, caregivers, and children under the message, “Bakuna ug Proteksyon ni Baby, Atong Responsibilidad.”
The launching was graced by Balilihan Municipal Mayor Atty. Esther Patricia V. Chatto, who expressed the Municipal Government’s support for the immunization campaign and the collective effort to protect Balilihan’s children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Also joining the activity were Hon. Maria Pureza V. Chatto, Chairperson of the Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Health; Dr. Violo A. Llorente Jr., Municipal Health Officer; Mrs. Maria Cecilia R. Berou, Public Health Nurse; representatives of the Municipal Health Office; barangay health workers; and other local health partners.
Representing the Philippine Red Cross Bohol Chapter was Emmanuel C. Pilayre, Chapter Administrator, together with PRC staff and volunteers supporting the campaign’s community mobilization and demand-generation activities.
The selection of Balilihan as PRC Bohol’s chosen LGU highlights the importance of collaboration between the Red Cross, local government, and health sector in bringing essential health services closer to communities.
PRC Bohol is supporting the campaign primarily through community mobilization and demand generation, complementing the vaccination efforts of the Department of Health and the Municipal Government of Balilihan through its Municipal Health Office.
Through its Red Cross 143 volunteers, Red Cross Youth, health volunteers, and other community mobilizers, PRC Bohol is helping reach communities, encourage parents and guardians to have their eligible children vaccinated, provide accurate information about immunization, address vaccine hesitancy, and identify children who may have been missed.
“Protecting our children is a shared responsibility. Through our partnership with Mayor Chatto, the Municipal Government of Balilihan, and our health partners, we want to bring the campaign closer to every family. Our volunteers will continue reaching out to communities, talking with parents, and helping ensure that no eligible child is left behind,” Pilayre said.
The campaign also emphasizes house-to-house mobilization, health education, public information, youth and community engagement, monitoring of missed children, and follow-up and mop-up activities.
The campaign received valuable support from partners and sponsors, including Yakult, Atty. Edgar M. Chatto, the Rotary Club of Upper Tagbilaran, Our deliBread, Holy Name University College Red Cross Youth (HNU CRCY) and the Philippine Pharmacist Association, Inc – Bohol. Their support complemented the efforts of the local government, health workers, PRC staff, and volunteers in making the activity possible and strengthening community participation.
PRC Bohol expressed its appreciation to all partners and sponsors for sharing in the humanitarian mission of protecting children. Their participation demonstrates how the government, private sector, civic organizations, educational institutions, and volunteers can work together toward a common public health goal.
PRC Bohol recognizes that achieving high immunization coverage requires more than vaccines and health personnel. It requires the trust and active participation of parents, barangay officials, community leaders, health workers, volunteers, and partner organizations.
By working closely with the Municipality of Balilihan, PRC Bohol hopes to demonstrate how local government, health institutions, communities, volunteers, and private partners can unite around one goal: protecting every child from measles and rubella.
Parents and guardians of eligible children in Balilihan are encouraged to coordinate with their Rural Health Unit, Barangay Health Stations, barangay health workers, and vaccination teams for schedules and other information regarding the MR-SIA.
Bakuna ug Proteksyon ni Baby, Atong Responsibilidad.
Together, PRC Bohol and the Municipality of Balilihan remain committed to reaching every eligible child and building a healthier, safer, and measles-rubella-protected community.
