THE 24/7 mass vaccination program in Manila is launched Sunday by Mayor Isko Moreno and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, under a new system that will be adopted in line with the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), where strict scheduling will now be enforced, walk-ins will no longer be allowed and inoculation will be done per batches of barangays in the communities via public schools instead of shopping malls.

The strict scheduling is pursuant to a public advisory issued by the Department of Health (DOH) regarding the manner of vaccination under the ECQ and in an effort to avoid chaos and confusion.

Moreno said that under the new system, there is still the need to pre-register. The barangays, he said, will then be informed by groups by the Liga ng Barangay headed by Lei Lacuna as its president and given slot numbers for the 24/7 vaccination so the number holders may simultaneously get vaccinated, with the barangays taking turns in batches.

Each slot has a corresponding number and the specific time and location where the holder may avail of the jab. The vaccination will be carried out in the schools nearest to the barangays concerned for the convenience of the community members who got the slots.

The mayor said that once a slot is given, the person concerned can use it only in the specified vaccination site and cannot avail of the shot in another site. He stressed the need to get the QR code ready for presentation so that the slot holders will be allowed to get out of their homes.

“Ang bagong bakunahan system under ECQ ay mas mahigpit. Magkusang disiplina tayo. Kahit isang batalyon pa ng pulis ang ipadala natin, kung walang disiplina, mapapariwara din lahat. Kaya gusto ko kayong mabakunahan ay para proteksyunan kayo pero kung magpapabaya kayo, eh di kayo na din ang nagpariwara,” he said.

Moreno added: “Babagal tayo pero bilin nila (DOH) eh. You have to follow the guidelines in the vaccine deployment in the city of Manila nang di tayo mapasok ng mga talipandas na pilit ginugulo ang sistema na nagbibigay ng maayos na resulta base sa objective.”

According to Moreno, “the system may not be perfect but what is more important is that madami ang naaabot at nayayakap sa lalong madaling panahon,” as he cited a report from Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna and Manila Health Department chief Dr. Arnold Pangan that so far, a total of over 1.4 million vaccines have been administered in the city.

Lacuna and Pangan, who are in charge of the mass vaccination program in the city, also reported that 838,115 persons have been vaccinated with first dose while 666,366 are now fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, Moreno clarified that the national government cash assistance for the ECQ could not be distributed yesterday, as announced by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, after it was downloaded to the local government of Manila on Friday.

Moreno explained that the full amount of P1,488,630,000 cannot be taken from the bank as the city treasurer’s office was told to withdraw P200 million only in the meantime, adding that the bank is also closed during the weekend.

While expressing gratitude for the assistance given to Manilans, the mayor explained that the amount is different from the funds given in April amounting to P1,523,278,000 in which case, 8,662 families will not be able to receive the amount of P4,000 each or 43,000 mouths will go hungry.

Moreno said he has already tapped the help of Manila social welfare department chief Re Fugoso in looking for the needed additional funds to cover the P35 million difference, saying he wants all the 380,820 families who received last time to also get the financial aid this ECQ.

“Give me 72 hours magpipiga lang tayo ng bimpo. Pag nariyan na ang kumpletong pera, agad nating ipamimigay,” said Moreno, who had been recently given recognition by the Department of the Interior and Local Government for the efficient distribution of the government cash assistance during the last ECQ.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Itchie G. Cabayan