Manila continues vaccination program

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila city government is relying on mass vaccination and food subsidy programs to fight the COVID-19 pandemic as the NCR Plus bubble enters another week of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), Mayor Isko Moreno said yesterday.

Moreno said a total lockdown is not an option because the city is host to ports.

Instead, the local government continued the vaccination of medical frontliners, senior citizens and those with comorbidities.

As of Sunday, Manila had vaccinated 43,603 healthcare workers and 21,600 residents with comorbidities.

“If the infection is fast, then the vaccination must be faster,” Moreno said, adding that high-risk barangays have been placed under granular lockdowns prior to the imposition of ECQ.

To soften the economic impact of the lockdowns, food boxes were distributed to affected families under the COVID-19 Food Security Program.

As for the cash aid from the national government, Moreno said beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program and waitlisted families would be prioritized.

“Persons with disabilities and solo parents will also receive cash assistance,” he said.

As of yesterday, Moreno said there are around 366,000 beneficiaries based on the list provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.