Around 74,000 residents of the city of San Jose del Monte in Bulacan are set to receive a vaccine against COVID-19 once it arrives in the country.
The local government disclosed this on Wednesday night as it expressed readiness for the vaccine rollout following a simulation exercise which was led by Mayor Arthur Robes.
Ronald Soriano, the city's public information office head, said they are targeting to start the vaccination of 70 percent of its around 134,000 residents by March.
He added that the vaccine brand will still depend on the procurement of the national government, but the local government is willing to purchase more.
"Meron silang pasabi na by the first week or second week ng March, may darating na para sa Bulacan," Soriano said in a phone interview. "Immediately, after the delivery, mag-aadminister na kami."
Health workers and senior citizens will be the local government's priority in compliance with the World Health Organization and the Department of Health's recommendations, he added.
There are now at least 20 identified sites, composed of 11 health centers and nine private hospitals, that will serve as vaccination centers, according to Soriano.
He added they are aiming to inoculate 2,000 residents per day.
Mayor Robes called on his constituents to participate in the COVID-19 vaccination drive so that "we will not live in fear" and "start going back to normal life."