The Manila city government is ready to administer coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccines to an initial number of 200,000 residents for free once national health authorities approve a vaccine for distribution and usage.
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso said he has already signed non-disclosure agreements with two multinational pharmaceutical companies in December 20.
To recall, the city government has set aside P250 million in 2020 for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines. In an interview with ANC, Domagoso said the amount is enough for 400,000 doses.
He also said that they can increase their budget to up to P1 billion to vaccinate as many residents as possible.
"Ito yung pamamaraan ng syudad na pagiging maagap na inihahanda na natin kasi (This is the city's way of being ready because) modesty aside, the City of Manila reserved already P200M since July and we've been talking to multinational pharmaceutical pharmacies even though they are in phase 2 at that time, at yan nagtagumpay yan kasi nagkaroon ng movement (and that is successful because there was movement)," he said in a statement issued on Monday.
The Manila mayor also encouraged residents and workers of the capital city to register at www.manilacovid19vaccine.com.
This will be used to identify who among the city's residents and workers are willing to receive the vaccine.
"Ngayon dahil diyan, mayroon na agad kaming target market, sila na yung mauuna at mas mabilis kasi dahil alam namin na interesado ka, dahil alam namin (Now because of that, we already have our target market, they will be the first ones to receive the vaccine and the process will be done faster because we know that you are interested, because we know that) you signed already the waiver, you will be the first in line," he said in a statement.
"Having said that, we will try to reach as many as possible because the first order that we are trying to eye in our own little way is 400,000 dosage that will serve 200,000 Manileños," he added.
The local chief executive said he will prioritize health workers and senior citizens in the order of distributing vaccines.
He also said that he will give the vaccine to all residents, workers, and visitors of the city for free, regardless of socioeconomic status, to make the capital city as safe as possible.