MANILA, Philippines — The Diocese of Cubao has offered three of its parishes to serve as Covid-19 vaccination sites, the Quezon City government said on Saturday.
In a statement, the Quezon City government, citing Diocese of Cubao Vicar General Fr. Steve Zabala, said the diocese has initially chosen Our Lady of Pentecost Parish, Santa Maria Della Strada Parish, and the Cathedral of Cubao as inoculation sites. These parishes have met the conditions set by the Quezon City health department.
“Based on our meeting with the QC Health, the parishes should have a good Wi-Fi connection and good ventilation to be qualified as inoculation sites,” Zabala said.
According to Zabala, the inoculation will be held at the parish hall and garden and not inside the church itself. Aside from this, the church will also help the city in promoting its vaccination plan.
“The church has been always working with the government because it is a communal response especially now that we are facing a pandemic,” Zabala said.
Before the Diocese of Cubao, the Diocese of Novaliches led Rev. Fr. Roberto Gaa also expressed its willingness to use its parishes as vaccination sites.
Meanwhile, the Quezon City government said it also finalizing talks with the Ateneo de Manila University through its president. Fr. Bobby Yap. as the university also expressed its willingness to have its facilities be used as vaccination sites.
“We welcome this help coming from our churches, schools, and even the private sector. They have been the city’s force multiplier even from the start of our battle against Covid-19,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
The local government had previously said that it has identified 24 facilities to be used as inoculation sites.
The Quezon City local government earlier entered into a tripartite agreement with the AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Philippines and the national government for the delivery of 1.1 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines.