Metro mayors adopt ‘Vax as One’ scheme

MANILA, Philippines — Mayors in the National Capital Region have agreed to adopt the “Vax as One” scheme to speed up the vaccination rollout in the NCR, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos announced yesterday.

Abalos said the Metro Manila Council (MMC), composed of mayors, adopted the concept for local government units to inoculate people that are not residents of their respective LGUs.

“Since the start of the vaccine rollout, LGUs in Metro Manila have been inoculating medical frontliners and economic workers even if they are not residents in their areas,” Abalos said.

“Considering that some LGUs have almost reached their vaccination targets, they decided to accommodate non-residents. Slots should be by appointment, strictly no walk-ins allowed,” he added.

Abalos said priority areas would be Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.

Abalos said the scheme could be implemented in San Juan, Mandaluyong, Marikina and Pateros, which have reached their vaccination targets.

“Other cities in Metro Manila will follow suit once they finish vaccinating their residents,” he said.

Abalos said non-residents would be accommodated at vaccination sites outside their LGUs provided they present a valid government-issued identification card during their schedule.

Abalos said a cost-sharing concept between the national government and LGUs for the provision of food packs for areas under granular lockdown was also discussed during the MMC meeting on Friday.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government supported the proposal, he said.

Abalos said Metro Manila mayors are preparing for granular lockdowns amid the soaring cases of COVID-19 in the region.

“LGUs have identified areas tagged as contagious and infectious,” he said.