Vice President Leni Robredo and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno oversee the drive thru vaccination process at the CCP Complex last week, where 2,500 tricycle drivers, delivery and motorcycle riders and other economic frontliners were vaccinated. (Marianne Bermudez / INQUIRER)
MANILA, Philippines — Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said that there is no politics involved in Vice President Leni Robredo’s initiative to expand her COVID-19 vaccination project beyond Metro Manila.
Rodriguez added that the welfare of the people should be prioritized, sans politics, and that he himself will be seeking assistance from the Office of the Vice President (OVP), hoping that it will accelerate vaccination in his area.
“Walang pulitika dito because cases in Cagayan de Oro is still very high, Davao City is still very high, same with Zamboanga, Butuan City in Mindanao, Iloilo and Bacolod City in Visayas and Albay in Bicol,” said Rodriguez
(There is no politics here because cases in Cagayan de Oro are still very high, Davao City is still very high, same with Zamboanga, Butuan City in Mindanao, Iloilo and Bacolod City in Visayas and Albay in Bicol.)
“I asked VP Leni pero walang pulitika dito (but there is no politics here),” he added.
According to Roqruiguez, only 90,000 people in Cagayan de Oro have been vaccinated, which is significantly lower compared to the 600,000 people already inoculated in Metro Manila.
Rodriguez said other provinces are even more behind.
Rodriguez’s point of view contradicts that of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte who had earlier lashed out at Robredo over the latter’s suggestion that Davao City (which currently has the most new cases of COVID-19 reported daily) should study the approach of Cebu City in handling its COVID-19 situation.
Robredo has also reiterated the need for more testing and vaccines in areas outside of Metro Manila that are experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Meanwhile, on June 23, the OVP had a successful collaboration with the City of Manila through the “Vaccine Express,” a drive-through vaccination facility that offers a faster way for economic frontliners to get vaccinated.