The Iloilo City Government and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Thursday, December 11, 2025, for the “Back to Bakuna” project, which aims to increase childhood vaccination rates through behavioral science strategies.
Mayor Raisa
Treñas, together with Dr. Mary Ann Poli-Diaz (City Health Officer), Maricar
Angeles (RMHC Executive Director), and Christian Jay Tandoy (RMHC Assistant Manager),
officially signed the agreement.
“Vaccines
are very important for our children. One of the challenges we face is that some
of them are unable to complete their vaccination schedules, and we know that
with the right vaccines, our children will be protected. Through this
partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities and AHAI Behavioral Design, I
hope that Ilonggo children will be safe and secure, especially as we work to
increase the percentage of vaccinated children,” said Mayor Raisa.
“We’re trying
to improve vaccination rates, especially for HPV vaccine, which is currently
the lowest in Iloilo City. With this partnership, we hope to protect children
and women, and make Iloilo healthier and happier,” she added.
“Kon mas
madamo ang magpabakuna, mas mataas ang aton vaccination coverage — kag mas safe
ang atonkomunidad,” she concluded.
This
initiative focuses on reducing barriers to vaccination by addressing real-life
challenges that prevent children from completing their routine doses, even when
supplies, schedules, and health workers are already in place. Through
behavioral interventions and social marketing techniques, “Back to Bakuna” aims
to help more Ilonggo children stay on track with their pediatric vaccines.