Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. Screenshot from Radyo Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso on Thursday lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for holding the three-day national vaccination drive aimed at fast tracking the inoculation of nine million Filipinos in need of protection against Covid-19.
In an interview with reporters in Mabalacat, Pampanga, Moreno said the vaccination drive proved effective especially in the provinces where many people remain unvaccinated due to previous problems of supply.
“Eto namang katagumpayan ng ating bansa pinagpapasalamat din natin ‘yung bagong policy direction ni President Duterte wherein hinikayat niya ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na matagumpay na mabakunahan ang kani-kanilang mamamayan na sumali sa National Vaccination Days,” Moreno said.
The Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer pointed out that if the intensified vaccination drive continues, majority of Filipinos would have been inoculated by the end of the year.
“As you can see the data shown to us with the concerted effort of all government units through the leadership of President Duterte and IATF, the other day is about 2.4 million ang nabakunahan. Yesterday, 2.2 million. So just imagine if we are doing this every single day, by the time the end of the year, baka madali na natin ang lahat. Everyone now is protected. May panlaban na tayo sa Covid-19,” Moreno explained.
Moreno, at the same time, gave assurance to the national government that LGUs like the City of Manila will continue to support President Duterte’s campaign to beat Covid-19.
“And I would like to at least give credit to my director of Manila Health Department. Sa buong NCR kami ang may pinakamalaking kontribusyon ngayon dahil sa effort ng aming mga doctor. Dito man lang mapasalamatan ko sila na ‘yung pagmamalasakitan sa isat-isa eh nangyayari lalo na sa pandemya,” Moreno said.
Moreno also took the opportunity to thank local officials and the people of Mabalacat for the warm reception he and the rest of his party receive upon their arrival there.
Joining Moreno in the “Listening Tour” are his running mate Dr. Willie Ong and senatorial bets Moro civic leader and women’s rights advocate Samira Gutoc, former Quezon City councilor Jopet Sison and radio host and entrepreneur Carl Balita.
Moreno reiterated his offer for free anti-Covid 19 medicines to patients infected by the virus and who are now in various hospitals in Central Luzon.
“Kung sakaling nangangailagan kayo ng gamot patungkol sa impeksyon ng Covid-19, kami po may Remdisivir, Tocilizumab, pati ‘yung sinuggest ni Doc Willie kay Vice Mayor Honey (Lacuna) na bilhin yung Molnupiraivir at Baricitinib,” Moreno said.
“Kung makakatulong tayo mabuhay ang isang tao, umasa kayo welcome kayo sa Maynila. At hindi namin sisinuhin kung saan kayo umuuwi o saan kayo nakatira. Ang importante ang buhay ng tao. Tandaan ninyo iisang bangka tayo,” he added.
The government’s vaccination drive is expected to contribute to the resilience of Filipinos it brings vaccination services closer to vulnerable people and hard-to-reach communities.
With the country’s large volume of Covid-19 vaccines – over 40 million doses currently available and at least 40 million more expected to arrive within the year – the United Nations said it is incumbent upon all sectors to come together now to ensure that all eligible population are fully vaccinated ahead of the holiday season.