SAN MATEO, RIZAL (23 AUGUST 2021)— Metro Manila’s local chief executives have agreed to open their vaccination sites to residents from neighboring cities and provinces as an act of support and solidarity against the deadly COVID-19 disease.

This developed as the national government, local government units, and the private sector held a symbolic vaccination on Monday as the country breached the 30 million mark in total jabs administered.

As of August 22, 30,389,160 COVID-19 doses have been administered throughout the country.

Of this number, 17,258,675 are first dose recipients, while 13,130,485 are fully vaccinated individuals.

In his message, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque noted that the NCR mayors’ decision to inoculate residents from other areas will provide a major boost to the country’s vaccine rollout.

“Habang natatapos na po ang pagbabakuna sa Metro Manila, nagkasundo na po ang mga mayor na tutulong na po sila sa mga karatig na mga lugar nang sa gayon lahat ng Metro Manila Plus 8 ay magkaroon na ng population protection,” Roque said.

We vaccinate as one

For Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro, the pandemic calls for selflessness and cooperation among LGUs, especially in the implementation of the vaccination program.

“That’s what’s important — that we are here together, in solidarity, in unison, and in community, with one another. Tulung-tulong po tayo laban sa COVID-19. Hindi po pupuwedeng isipin natin ang sarili lang, kundi dapat isipin natin ang bawat isa po,” Teodoro said.

Secretary Vince Dizon, testing czar and National Task Force against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer, echoed the same view, as he emphasized the need for LGUs to synergize their efforts in the face of rising COVID-19 cases.

“Ngayon po kailangan na ang NCR at kanyang mga karatig-probinsya, tulad ng Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna na magtulung-tulong na, kailangan magsama-sama na kasi itong problema natin lalo na sa surge ngayon ng Delta (variant), eh problema po nating lahat ‘yan,” Dizon said.

To ensure the public’s health and safety, stricter community quarantine protocols must be enforced in the conduct of inter-border vaccination, pointed out Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Benjamin Abalos, Jr.

“Para wala tayong gulo, ang ginawa namin is you should schedule. May binigay kaming QR code, ida-download n’yo lang ‘yung application, bigay n’yo pangalan n’yo, tapos bibigyan kayo (ng schedule) kung kailan kayo makakapila,” Abalos said.

Private sector partnership

The event also marked the opening of the COVID-19 vaccination site in SM San Mateo, which will also be open to residents from adjacent localities.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, whose city shares a border with San Mateo, welcomed the inter-LGU cooperation, which she said will help decongest their vaccination centers.

“Ako po ay nagpapasalamat at mayroon nang bakunahan dito sa SM San Mateo, dahil ito po ay kapitbahay ng aming Barangay Batasan Hills,” Belmonte said.

Dahil madaming nagpapabakuna doon, hindi na namin kaya, dito ko na po papapuntahin. Pero kapag napuno naman po dito, welcome na welcome po ang ating kapitbahay dito na pumunta sa lungsod Quezon,” she added.

Through its 69 malls nationwide, SM Supermalls has already administered more than 2.5 million jabs, reported Bien Mateo, the company’s senior vice president for operations.

“We at SM supermalls remain committed to work with the national government and our LGUs and private sectors, and the public to overcome this crisis and put an end to COVID-19,” Mateo said.

Meanwhile, San Mateo Mayor Cristina Diaz urged the public to get vaccinated, especially with the arrival of more vaccines in the country.

“Sa gitna man po ng takot at pangamba ng COVID-19, tama po na bukod sa dasal at panalangin, bakuna at disiplina ang kailangan natin ngayon higit kailanman,” Diaz said.

For his part, Rodriguez, Rizal Mayor Dennis Hernandez, whose father recently passed away due to COVID-19, emphasized the importance of getting inoculated.

“Hinihikayat po natin ang lahat na magpabakuna, dahil hindi po biro ang banta ng COVID,” Hernandez said.

Steady supply

As of August 21, the country has received a total of 48,552,890 vaccine doses from seven manufacturers.

More vaccines will be delivered to the country before September, according to Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., vaccine czar and National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer.

“Mayroon pa po tayong 5 million na bakuna na makukuha ngayong week,” Galvez said.

The vaccine czar also mentioned that aside from procured vaccines coming in the next months, several countries have also pledged to donate millions of doses.

With this development, Galvez urged people to sign up and get the jab as soon as possible in order to get an additional layer of protection against the virus.

“Magpabakuna na po tayo at nakikita po natin na even ‘yung single dose nakakatulong po sa atin,” he said.

Other guests during the event were former Rizal Governor Jun-Jun Ynares, representing Governor Rebecca Ynares, and MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia. END