MMDA inspects vax hubs in Metro Manila

MANILA – Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos inspected Friday the vaccination rollout in several Covid-19 vaccination hubs in the cities of Las Piñas, Muntinlupa and Parañaque.

On Thursday, videos and photos of people swarming vaccination sites despite curfew hours circulated on social media. The photos and videos show that those who went to get vaccinated do not adhere to safe physical distancing. They apparently received information that those who have not been vaccinated shall not be entitled to “ayuda” and/or benefits.

Abalos said the queues of people at SM Southmall Las Piñas, Ayala Mall in Muntinlupa and SM City BF Parañaque were systematic.

“Our overall assessment on the vaccination process on the said areas is very orderly and very efficient. We have our target to protect Filipinos from the deadly coronavirus disease thru inoculation. In fact, the 17 local government units in Metro Manila are expected to administer 250,000 jabs daily during the two-week enhanced community quarantine period,” Abalos said.

He also appealed to the public to stop believing in fake news and misinformation.

“This is a critical phase right now. I’m appealing to everyone. Kaya natin ito basta walang fake news at walang maniniwala sa fake news (We can do this so long as you do not believe in fake news),” Abalos said.

Meantime, Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said there is sufficient supply of Covid-19 vaccines to immunize their residents.

Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez reiterated that Covid-19 vaccinations would continue in the city.

“We have five mega vaccination areas in the city. Also, we conduct home service vaccination for bedridden every weekend,” Olivarez said.

Las Piñas City Administrator Reynaldo Balagulan assured that the city government has a proper system in place to ramp up their inoculation program, even during the ECQ. (PR)