Duterte urges local execs to feed those getting vaccinated during national drive

Children aged 12 to 17 and without comorbidities wait for their turn to get vaccinated against COVID-19 at a mall in Olongapo City. (File photo courtesy of Olongapo City Information Office)

MANILA, Philippines — With the start of the national vaccination drive approaching, President Rodrigo Duterte urged executives of local government units on Tuesday to feed their constituents seeking to get vaccinated.

He made the appeal in his taped weekly briefing after urging local government officials to bring their constituents to vaccination sites during the nationwide vaccination drive, which runs from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.

READ: Gov’t to hold massive COVID-19 vaccination drive Nov. 29 to Dec. 1

“I am authorizing all governors and mayors — just spend the money and I would replace that someday. Just feed them,” Duterte said in Filipino.

“Have pity on Filipinos. Really, just give me the bill and I will try to pay it if I have the money,” he added.

He then teased those who stubbornly refused to get vaccinated, saying that they should be given only siopao.

Duterte also thanked the private sector for providing malls, fast food chains, and hospitals as vaccination sites during the massive vaccination drive.

“And if possible, feed them. This will only be a one-time event —  for the country,” Duterte said.

The massive vaccination drive, which will be held in all local government units outside of  Metro Manila, aims to inoculate 15 million individuals against COVID-19.

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