Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso said on Thursday that he received an offer from Bishop Broderick Pabillo to use some big churches in the capital city as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination sites.
(ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Yesterday, I received an offer, voluntary offer from the church, na kung saan inaalok nila as a space that can be utilized 'yung ating mga malalaking simbahan (wherein they were offering our big churches as a space for us to use)," he said in a press briefing on Thursday.
"Maraming salamat sa simbahan at talagang nag-volunteer sila (Thank you very much to the church for volunteering)," he added.
Domagoso said they will meet first with church officials before they release specific details on the offer.
Manila's big churches, particularly those in Intramuros, are ideal vaccination sites because they have open spaces that can prevent the spread of COVID-19, the local chief executive said.
The Manila city government is planning to establish vaccination sites in Tondo District 1 and Sampaloc district, which were the districts hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. They were even placed on hard lockdowns to contain the infection.
Domagoso said they are eyeing 18 possible vaccination sites that must be a walking distance from the community, with up to five vaccination rooms, and a stable internet connection.
Once the vaccines arrive and are approved by the national government for use and distribution, the vaccination drive in the City of Manila will be done seven days a week, Domagoso said.