The Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Manila city government are only waiting for the vaccine supplies to arrive before they roll out a drive-thru vaccination program for all the Tricycle Operators’ and Drivers’ Association (TODA) in Manila.
The program was supposed to start on Friday, June 18, because the local government unit (LGU) of Manila expected the vaccines to arrive last June 15, Tuesday. The delay moved the vaccination activities this weekend as they expect the vaccines to arrive today, June 17.
“So, kung dumating on time, matutuloy kami sa June 20. Kung mayroon may delay, mag-a-announce na lang po kami ng—mag-a-announce na lang po kami ng date (So, if the vaccines arrive on time, we’re pushing through with it on June 20. If there is a delay, we will announce—we will announce a new date),” Robredo said over dzXL.
The program is in line with the government moving to vaccinate the A4 category, or the essential workers such as drivers and vendors.
READ: Mayor Isko: Just show company ID for inclusion in A4
“Pero ang registration po ongoing na. Ang registration ongoing para sa mga TODA. Kabahagi nito iyong ano— iyong lahat ng TODA sa City of Manila (But the registration is ongoing. The registration is ongoing for the TODA. This is part of the—all the TODA of the City of Manila),” she added.
The vice president said that drivers of ride-sharing services like Grab are also included in the inoculation program.
“Ano ito, drive thru. So hindi sila bababa sa kanilang mga sasakyan (This is drive-thru. So, they don’t need to go down from their vehicles),” Robredo explained, adding that those with questions should inquire with the Manila City Hall.
The lady official thanked volunteer doctors and nurses who enlisted to help in the inoculation program.
This program is a spin-off of the vice president’s free mobile antigen testing program, the Swab Cab.
READ: OVP in talks for 'Jab Cab' with Manila city gov’t
Once referred to as the Jab Cab, the program aims to bring the vaccines to areas in Manila where the hesitancy to get a vaccine is high. It also wants to provide a hassle-free way for the drivers and conductors to get inoculated seeing as they may not have the time to go to Manila’s 19 vaccine centers to get their jabs.