After movie and television stars, it was the hardcourt stars' turn to get vaccinated from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) courtesy of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
In a statement Sunday, July 4, the MMDA revealed that it had accommodated the request of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to get their players, coaches, and staff vaccinated.
MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos said basketball players are classified as "economic frontliners", thus they are included in the A4 category of the country’s vaccination priority list.
“The PBA is one of the industries in the country struggling to cope with COVID-19. About 1,200 workers in the industry have been affected by the pandemic,” Abalos said, adding that the league is an integral part of Filipino culture.
The PBA, the first professional basketball league in Asia, has delayed the start of its 46th season as a result of the public health emergency.
Information coming from the MMDA bared that it has already facilitated the inoculation of some 400 PBA personalities.
The A4 group represents private sector workers who are required to be physically present at their designated workplace outside their residences.
Receiving anti-COVID jabs under this category at the MMDA headquarters in Makati City last June 11 were members of the local movie industry. It should be noted that the MMDA serves as organizer of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
Like showbiz personalities, basketball players and athletes can be influencers who can help the government eliminate vaccine preferences among the public and raise awareness about the benefits of the vaccine in general, Abalos said.
The MMDA had proposed that players undergo antigen testing before their practices, if and when the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) finally allows the conduct of such.
Meanwhile, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said the league is set to conduct its own vaccination drive soon. He also vowed to donate vaccines to the government once the vaccines they have purchased arrived.
The PBA Board of Governors also thanked the MMDA for their assistance in getting the COVD shots.