OLD AND NEW High-rise buildings loom over Araneta Coliseum, the most enduring landmark in one of Metro Manila’s oldest central business districts. —PHOTOS BY EDWIN BACASMAS
MANILA, Philippines – The Smart Araneta Coliseum will serve as the newest COVID-19 vaccination center in Quezon City, with jabs to be dispensed starting on Saturday.
Smart Araneta Coliseum, also known as the Big Dome, is capable of handling 1,000 to 1,500 jabs per day, said Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.
“This will help us strengthen our efforts to provide our QCitizens the protection they need against COVID-19. The faster we vaccinate our people, the sooner we can achieve economic recovery,” Belmonte said in a statement.
The facility will be equipped with proper filters and fan systems for adequate ventilation to ensure the safety of those who will get their vaccines inside the coliseum, said Belmonte.
“The QC LGU (local government unit) is grateful to the Araneta Group for offering the Big Dome to this program for free. It is a suitable site for a massive and critical government health drive since it offers adequate space and accessibility to both our healthcare workers and the public,” Belmonte said.
Meanwhile, Antonio T. Mardo, senior vice president for operations of the Araneta Group, said they are “pleased to accommodate Quezon City’s vaccination campaign inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum.”
“This is our contribution to the government’s efforts to control the surge of COVID-19 cases in the city and to improve public health,” Mardo said.
Aside from the coliseum, the Araneta Group will also be providing medical personnel to help vaccinate eligible individuals from the A1 to A3 priority groups, said Business Permits and Licensing Department Head Margie Santos.
Santos also said the non-profit charitable group Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Philippines will also be providing their volunteer doctors, nurses, and staff to various vaccination sites across Quezon City.
“We’re grateful to our partners in the private sector as they continue to work with us in order to provide us with spacious and comfortable venues and to augment our manpower resources,” Santos said.
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