The local government of Pasig City is planning to use public schools as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination centers in the city.

During the visit of the Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) Team to Pasig on Tuesday, Mayor Vico Sotto explained that public schools are suitable venue for the implementation of the city’s inoculation program against COVID-19.

“Dito po sa Pasig, nakita po namin 'yung best venue para sa ating vaccination site ay ang ating mga pampublikong paaralan kasi ito po 'yung may space, may kuwarto, nae-exercise 'yung social distancing at may ventilation po (Here in Pasig, we saw that the best venue for our vaccination site is our public schools because they have space, rooms, social distancing will be exercised and there is ventilation),” Sotto said.

He noted that the local government will ask permission from the Department of Education for the use of such facilities for the vaccination program.

The mayor stressed that residents would not be forced to get vaccinated, but he urged them to take the opportunity when the vaccine becomes available.

“Hindi naman po ito sapilitan pero ako po, hinihikayat ko po ang mga Pasigueño na kung may pagkakataon na mabakunahan po tayo, tulong na po natin ito sa bayan natin (It is not mandatory, but I urge Pasigueños that if there is an opportunity for us to be vaccinated, as a way of helping our country),” Sotto said.

The mayor has also advised the public to be confident whichever vaccine that the Food and Health Administration (FDA) will approve.

“Ang lagi nating sinasabi kapag may nagtatanong tungkol sa bakuna, basta approved po ito ng FDA makatitiyak po tayo na ligtas at mabisa ang mga brand na ito (What we always say when someone asks about the vaccine, as long as it is approved by the FDA we can be sure that these brands are safe and effective),” he said.

“Magtiwala po tayo sa mga eksperto, sa mga dalubhasa sa medical field (Let us trust the experts, professionals in the medical field),” he added.