CEBU CITY, (2 February 2022) – In a bid to provide residents with greater access to COVID-19 vaccines, the national government and local government of Cebu launched the city’s first ‘Resbakuna sa Botika’ drug store here at the Rose Pharmacy on Wednesday, February 2.

“I would like to congratulate the management of the Rose pharmacy for joining the Resbakuna sa Botika program. You are now among the growing number of drugstores in the country that have participated in this innovative program,” National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said during the launching.

“We would like to convey our thanks to our local officials, our doctors, pharmacies, and all the Cebuanos. Maraming salamat sa contribution niyo sa ating vaccination program at COVID-19 response,” he added.

The “Resbakuna sa Botika” Program was first rolled out in selected clinics and pharmacies in Metro Manila and later on included drugstores in Baguio City as part of the national government’s efforts to further expand the national vaccination program.

Other participating pharmacies also include Mercury Drug, The Generics Pharmacy, Generika Drugstore, and Southstar Drug, while participating private clinics include QualiMed and Healthway.

“Ito ang strategy ng ating mahal na Presidente to make the vaccines available to all and through this Resbakuna sa Botika at Klinika magiging accessible sya,” Galvez said.

According to the vaccine czar, the national government aims to administer booster doses to at least 72 million Filipinos this year, as he gave the assurance that there is enough vaccine supplies in the country’s inventory.

Based on data from the National Vaccine Operations Center (NVOC) as of February 1, a total of 7,576,860 booster shots have been administered throughout the country.

The vaccine czar said the establishment of Resbakuna sa Botika at Klinika Program is the “way forward’ in devolving the vaccination program to LGUs and the “’future commercialization” of the vaccine.

“Darating ang araw na ‘pag commercialized na ang vaccine, [sila’y] pupunta na sa mga pharmacies katulad ng Rose pharmacy at ‘yung ibang pharmacies [katulad ng] Watsons [at] Mercury Drug.” Galvez said.

“From a national-centered policy, kailangan ay ‘yung correlation at ‘yung community response ang palakasin natin. We are very happy and confident na Cebu can do it kasi kayo ang mga nauna,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama thanked the national government for helping his city strengthen its pandemic response and mitigation measures, as well as scale up its vaccine rollout.

“I am very thankful on behalf of the city government as we’ve been wanting that we all liberate the city of Cebu from the pandemic. And the way to liberation is vaccination,” Rama said.

For his part, Presidential Adviser for COVID-19 Response Secretary Vince Dizon thanked the local government of Cebu for supporting the establishment of additional vaccination sites in the city through the Resbakuna sa Botika Program.

“Starting with this branch, I’m sure this will expand further to other branches of Rose, other botikas, and this is to make easier for our people. And I hope ‘yung mga nagdadalawang isip pa mag-decide na sana magpabakuna na po kayo sa lalong madaling panahon,” Dizon said.

“The more na mas madali at malapit sa ating mga kababayan, mas marami tayong mababakunahan,” he added.

In the meantime, the national government is scheduled to start the administration of COVID-19 vaccines to children aged 5 to 11 years on Friday, February 4.

Galvez emphasized the urgent need to vaccinate children in order to protect the development of the future generation and secure their mental health.

He noted that the pandemic has kept children at home and this may have an adverse impact on their mental well-being.

“Napaka-importanteng sektor ng 5 to 11 [years old] kasi mga pupils ito so they are the one suffering right now dahil they were restricted for having a face-to-face classes at permanent ang damage nyan sa ating social development at future development of our generation,” Galvez said. ###