Former Mandaluyong mayor now MMDA chair Benhur Abalos. Photo from his Twitter page
MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will convert its staff isolation facility into a national vaccination center to assist the government in its inoculation program set to start next month.
According to MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos, the 800-square meter quarantine facility will be turned into a Covid-19 vaccination center that will help expedite the distribution and administration of the vaccines once they are available.
“The MMDA quarantine facility is open for any national government agency that needs a place to efficiently roll out the anti-Covid-19 vaccination program,” Abalos said in a statement Friday.
“We are always willing to lend assistance to stop the transmission of disease at the soonest time possible so we can go back to normal again,” he added.
The 48-bed isolation facility is located in the agency’s headquarters in Guadalupe, Makati, which served as a holding area for its employees who needed to undergo a 14-day quarantine in accordance with the protocols set by the Department of Health.
The MMDA chairman said the agency will assist Metro Manila local government units on vaccine logistics and equipment for quick mobility across the National Capital Region.
All of the agency’s employees will undergo monthly RT-PCR swab test to ensure the personnel’s health and safety as the MMDA continues to deliver its services across the metropolis, according to Abalos.
“Our personnel’s welfare is our topmost priority. We need to make sure that they are safe from the dangers of Covid-19. This is one of our ways to help the national government in curbing the spread of the disease,” said Abalos.
The MMDA earlier allotted P20 million for the procurement of vaccines for its employees and one member of their family.
The Philippines is eyeing the rollout of the national inoculation program by February. Zac Sarao, INQUIRER.net trainee