Isko Inilunsad nina Mayor Mayor Isko Moreno at Health Sec. Francisco Duque ang programang “Resbakuna sa mga Botika” kasama sina Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna at Rep. Yul Servo. Kuha ni Jerry S. Tan

DOH commends Isko

January 21, 2022 Marlon Purification 414 views

THE Department of Health on Thursday commended Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso for the city of Manila’s “innovative approach” to help the national government in its battle against Covid-19 since the pandemic broke out two years ago.

Speaking at the launch of “Resbakuna sa mga Botika” at the Mercury Drug Drive-Thru Branch along Quirino Avenue in Manila, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said Moreno has set the bar high in terms of leadership and governance through various programs designed to address the public health crisis.

“Siya po ay isang magandang ehemplo na sa tingin ko na karapat-dapat lang tularan ng mga iba pa nating mga local chief executives sa buong Pilipinas dahil napakita niya kung papaano napaunlad ang buhay ng mga Manilenyo. Sya po ay punung-puno ng innovative approach kung paano lalabanan ang pandemya at paano mas mapapahusay ang pagtulong at pagsasakatuparan ng mga programa lalo na sa pangkalusugan,” Duque said referring to Moreno, as he also lauded Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna and the rest of the staff of the Manila city government.

Duque was referring to the City of Manila’s aggressive vaccination campaign with the use of drive-thru booster sites for motorcycle riders at the Kartilya ng Katipunan; 4-wheel vehicles at the Quirino Grandstand and drive-thru for drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) and delivery vans at the Bagong Ospital ng Maynila.

Moreno has also recently opened the Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden in Malate as vaccination site for minors aged 12-17 and senior citizens with the added purpose of having them take a sneak peek of the redeveloped zoo.

The 47-year-old presidential aspirant also announced that he is open to using the Manila Bay Walk Dolomite Beach as another possible vaccination site for those going to the new tourist attraction.

For his part, Moreno thanked Duque and the Duterte administration for the support they have extended to the city government to fight the pandemic, like providing vaccine supplies that has allowed Manila to expand its inoculation drive even to non-residents of Manila.

“Ako ay nagpapasalamat kay Pangulong Duterte at sa ating DOH family sa pangunguna ni Secretary Duque sapagkat ‘di naman natin ito magagawa lahat kung wala ang kanilang suporta. Gayundin sa ating mga private sector na nakiisa sa ating hangarin na mabigyan ng bakuna ang marami sa ating mga kababayan,” the 47-year-old presidential aspirant said.

Moreno also welcomed the participation of private drugstores such as Mercury Drug in the DOH’s “Resbakuna sa mga Botika” program, which will be piloted starting today but will be limited for the meantime to the administration of booster shots.

“We are happy na magkakaroon na naman ng panibagong access ang mga tao (sa bakuna) dahil sa partisipasyon ng mga drugstores. This is good and convenient for them to get boosted and hopefully, mas marami pa ang maenggayong magpabakuna,” Moreno said.

The Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer also took the opportunity to renew his appeal to the unvaccinated to listen to what science and health experts say on the benefits of having inoculated to keep them safe and protected from the severe effects of the coronavirus.

“Resbakuna sa mga Botika” will initially start with seven participating drugstores in Metro Manila, namely Mercury Drug, Watsons, Rose Pharmacy, Southstar Drug, Generika, and other drug store-clinics like Healthway and QualiMed.

Each of the seven participating drugstores will be provided with an initial 500 doses of Covid-19 vaccines per week or a total of 3,500 doses. People who want to avail of the booster shots via these participating outlets have to register via the drug stores’ websites.

According to the National Task Force Against Covid-19, all individuals aged 18 and above, aside from senior citizens and individuals with comorbidities, can get their Covid-19 vaccine through the program.

Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon said walk-ins are allowed but they will still need to register online once at the pharmacies. “Our plan is that once a pharmacy starts, it will continue. The government will continuously supply them with vaccines,” he said.

Dizon said the seven pharmacies and clinics will administer vaccines daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. after the initial rollout. He also reminded the public to bring their vaccination cards as well as valid government IDs.

The DOH also plans to expand the “Resbakuna sa mga Botika” outside Metro Manila. Kasama si Itchie G. Cabayan