Manila gov’t wants to acquire 400,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines

Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno. (Photo from Manila City government)

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila City government wants to acquire 400,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, which would benefit 200,000 of its residents, Mayor Isko Moreno said Monday.

“The City of Manila wanted to acquire about 400,000 doses. Under that 400,000 doses, ‘yan ay makakabakuna ng 200,000 na mamamayan [that will vaccinate 200,000 of our people],” Moreno said over ABS-CBN News Channel.

“We are ready to help the national government in our own little way as a city government,” he added.

Moreno earlier said that P1 billion could be used by the local government unit for the inoculation drive on top of the P250 million it had already earmarked for the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines.

He also said that the vaccines will be free for all residents, whether rich or poor, as with other initiatives by the city government in addressing the pandemic.

“Why are we gonna do the same thing with vaccination? It’s a universal problem. It does not distinguish when you are rich or you are poor, magkakasakit ka [you will be sick] or not,” he said. “We will make this vaccine free for everyone, as many as possible.”

The Manila LGU earlier launched a website where residents can pre-register to avail of the COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes available and approved for use.

JPV