Palace backs construction of mega jab site in Nayong Pilipino

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday defended the planned construction of the mega vaccination center on the vast grounds of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) property in Entertainment City in Parañaque City, and reminded its board members opposed to the project that their decisions should not run counter to the government’s duty to protect Filipinos’ lives.

Lucille Karen Malilong-Isberto, director of the NPF, earlier resigned because of concerns over the cutting of trees in the property to pave the way for the construction of the facility.

As of Monday afternoon, Malilong-Isberto said President Duterte has not yet accepted her resignation.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque told the NPF board members that as a government-owned and controlled corporation, the NPF is under the supervision of the President.

“The construction of the mega vaccination facility in Nayong Pilipino is pursuant to the inherent police powers of the President and this is to safeguard people’s right to health,” Roque said at a press briefing.

The NPF had questioned the project, saying the property on which it would be built was home to a “thriving urban forest that hosts a variety of urban wildlife and is the last remaining grassland in the reclaimed area of Parañaque.”

Enrique Razon Jr., project proponent and tycoon, countered the naysayers by pointing out that NPF previously leased the land for the vaccination site to a Chinese company for the construction of a casino, a project later scrapped over alleged irregularities.

This would have also led to the cutting of trees, Razon said.

“We are in the midst of our biggest crisis ever with people dying and they want a park instead of vaccination center! Incomprehensible!” Razon said in a statement.

But Malilong-Isberto said they were only following the law on the use of government property that Razon wanted to develop into a mega vaccination hub for COVID-19. INQ