Local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila are fully prepared to launch their respective mass immunization drives against COVID-19.
This was the assessment given by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jojo Garcia, who met with the 17 metro mayors Tuesday night to discuss the vaccination process.
"I think handang-handa na. Sabi nga kanina ni (Pasig City) Mayor Vico (Sotto), nung nag-present sila, sabi niya, 'Vaccine na lang kulang, tatakbo na.' Meaning handa talaga (I think they're fully prepared. To quote Mayor Vico during their presentation, 'Only the vaccine is needed for this to roll out.' Meaning they're really ready)," Garcia said in a press briefing after the meeting.
Asked if he thinks all 17 LGUs have shown readiness for the endeavor, Garcia said yes.
"That's why iikutan nga namin. Madami nang inikutan, itong week na ito naka-set kami. Hopefully matapos namin this week or next week. Pero lahat po ng LGUs iikutan yan ng national task force (That’s why we will do the rounds. We have made a lot of rounds already. We're set this week. Hopefully, we will finish within this week or next week. But the national task force will make the rounds of all LGUs)," he said.
National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. also joined the mayors' meeting, Garcia said.
He said no specific date was given for the arrival in the country of the vaccines. "Kung kailan, ang definite lang na binigay is, before the end of February, may darating (As to when, the only definite detail given was that they will arrive before the end of February)," Garcia said.
He added that the quantity and brand of the vaccines are also not known. "Pero may tatlong brands na tinitignan na pwedeng dumating (But they are looking at three possible brands for our incoming supply)."
"Sabi nga ng mga mayors sa akin, this is not the right time to relax. Kasi nga nandyan na yung vaccine, konti na lang. Yung light at the end of the tunnel nakikita na natin eh. We should not distract ourselves sa ibang problema (Like what the mayors told me, this is not the right time to relax. The vaccine is within our reach. We already see the light at the end of the tunnel. We should not distract ourselves with other problems)," Garcia said.