“SA Maynila, pwede ka maging choosy.”
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said this in jest as he told the city‘s residents they can choose whether or not to get vaccinated. He added that as long as there is no law requiring everyone to get the vaccine, it will be done by the local government on a purely voluntary basis.
The mayor also called on those who want to be vaccinated to register online, but clarified that even those who did not register may still get the vaccine as walk-ins.
Moreno explained that those who did not register will have to allot more time since they would have to be interviewed for the needed information, unlike those who registered online.
“Ang goal kasi namin para sa bawat isang nakapagpa-register, five minutes lang tapos na siya. Bakunado na and updated na ang data, kaya hinihikayat namin ang pre-registration. Ang non-registrants pwede din kaso tatagal dahil tatanungin pa,” Moreno said.
It was learned that based on the plans he and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna discussed, the mass vaccination will be held in schools to accommodate more reaidents.
Once a person is vaccinated, he will be made to wait in a designated area where he will be observed for reactions. Medical professionals and an ambulance will be on standby.
Moreno assured that the city government of Manila will not use any vaccine that has not been duly certified by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) as safe and effective.
Manila is the first city that signed with Astra Zeneca for the acquisition of 800,000 doses of anti-COVID vaccines.
Moreno said the local government, with the help of the city council headed by Vice Mayor and presiding officer Lacuna and majority floor leader Joel Chua, was able to allot an initial budget of P200 million which can even go up to P1 billion if opportunity allows.
