Barangay officials in Manila have been ordered to assist senior citizens and persons with comorbidities in registering for COVID-19 vaccination.
In a memorandum order dated May 19, Manila Barangay Bureau (MBB) Director Romeo Bagay directed all barangay captains to “mobilize their respective barangay council and SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) council to facilitate in the registration” of senior citizens or the A2 group, and persons with commodities or the A3 group.
The memorandum was issued following reports that “many” individuals who are part of the A2 and A3 priority groups were “deprived" of the city's free vaccines after not being able to register for vaccination.
"One of the major factors for this is the lack of technical knowledge and or gadgets needed to register online to avail of this free COVID-19 vaccine," the MBB memorandum read.
Manila Public Information Chief Julius Leonen told the Manila Bulletin that barangays can assist those who are having difficulties in the online registration “in any way they can.”
“Through registration areas, kung sila po ay lalapitan para magpatulong (if they are approached for help), etc.,” Leonen told the Manila Bulletin in a Viber message.
As of May 19, Manila has vaccinated 160,620 individuals with the first dose, and 61,218 with the second dose.