MANDALUYONG CITY (5 AUGUST 2021) — Due to the strong synergy between the national government, local government units and the private sector in the implementation of the national vaccination program, more than 10 million Filipinos are now fully protected against the disease.

As of August 4, a total of 22,488,705 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered nationwide, in which 10,282,152 individuals have been fully-vaccinated, while 12,206,553 have received their first dose.

To mark the occasion, a ceremonial vaccination was held at the SM Megamall, where two other milestones were also celebrated: the 102% vaccination rate of senior citizens in the City of Mandaluyong, and the 2 million individuals who have been vaccinated in SM Supermalls nationwide.

Secretary Vivencio Dizon, National Task Force against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer and testing czar, emphasized the government’s commitment to accelerate the implementation and expand the coverage of the vaccination program.

“Hindi tayo titigil hanggat hindi nababakunahan ang ating mga kababayan, at finally matapos na natin itong bangungot na COVID-19 na ito,” Dizon said.

Meanwhile, Bien Mateo, senior vice president for operations of SM Supermalls, pledged the company’s continued support to the government’s vaccination program.

“Here at SM, we will continue our commitment to speed up the vaccination drive in the country,” Mateo said.

“We will open our 67 mall vaccination venues, as we go on in ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) in the coming weeks, in cooperation with the LGUs nationwide,” he added.

No elderly left behind in Mandaluyong

Mandaluyong City Mayor Menchie Abalos admitted that convincing their senior citizens to get the jab was initially a major challenge.

“Ang hirap nga pong mag-convince, alam n’yo naman pag senior citizen, talagang lahat na yata ng pagsuyo, lambing, gagawin mo para lamang madala mo ito sa vaccination site,” Abalos shared.

Despite this difficulty, the mayor said the city government was able to vaccinate 30,508 senior citizens, composed of 29,749 registered elderly and 759 others who were not officially registered in Mandaluyong.

The mayor said this translates to a 102.55% vaccination rate for senior citizens in Mandaluyong.

Of the 30,508 who received the jab, a total of 25,395, or 83% are fully vaccinated, while 5,113, or 17% are awaiting their second dose.

Health Secretary and Inter-Agency Task Force for the management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Chair Francisco Duque III lauded the city government of Mandaluyong for this milestone, and for the compassion it has shown to its elderly population.

“Nakakataba ng puso dahil ipinakikita ng pamunuan ng Mandaluyong City ‘yung kanyang sense of priority. Ibig po sabihin, talagang binibigyang-halaga ang buhay ng atin pong mga senior citizens,” Duque said.

Government on top of things

As the National Capital Region prepares to be placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) starting August 6, the government is determined to ramp up vaccinations to protect more people from the deadly virus.

“Tamang-tama, nagbabakuna tayo habang ina-arrest natin itong pagtaas (ng cases) na ito na hindi na siya tataas,” Metro Manila Development Authority Chair Benjamin Abalos, Jr. said.

Abalos also warned the public against the proliferation of fake news, which prompted residents to troop to vaccination sites, resulting in long queues and overcrowding.

He said that certain individuals were spreading false information that only vaccinated individuals will be given cash assistance by the government.

“‘Wag na ‘wag kayong maniniwala sa fake news. Wala hong katotohanan ‘yun. Mababakunahan tayo, antayin ninyo ang schedule n’yo, nandiyan po ang mga alkalde, magiging maayos po ang lahat, magiging maayos ang pila, and let’s make sure walang makakahawa,” Abalos said.

For his part, Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr, National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar, said that with 10 million Filipinos now fully-vaccinated, the country moving closer to its goal of achieving population protection by the end of the year.

On August 3, the country recorded its highest daily vaccination rate, with 702,013 jabs administered.

“We are seeing our vaccination numbers going up relative to the steady arrival of larger vaccine deliveries. These milestones should encourage us to continue working harder to further raise our vaccination throughput,” Galvez said.

“What we have achieved so far in our vaccination program is the result of the collaboration between the national government, local government units, and the private sector. This is a testament of the Filipino people’s bayanihan spirit,” he emphasized.

Galvez also appealed to the public for their patience and understanding, as he gave the assurance that additional vaccines will be deployed in their areas once more doses arrive.

“No need to panic because everyone will get the jab. The government will not rest until all Filipinos are protected against COVID-19,” Galvez said. END