Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos says that house-to-house vaccination against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during the upcoming two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period in Metro Manila simply isn't possible.
Abalos, speaking during the Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque-led virtual press briefing Monday, August 2, noted that carrying out vaccinations via the designated vaccine centers of local government units (LGUs) remain the most practical option as far as performing the task is concerned.
"Sa ngayon po talaga hindi po kaya ng house-to-house 'no, pasensya na po (As of now, house-to-house vaccination can't be done, I'm sorry)," Abalos said when asked if the Metro LGUs had enough manpower to administer COVID-19 jabs at the doorstep of residents.
"Talagang sa pagbabakuna po namin, mas nasa vaccine center ka, mas marami kang mase-serbisyuhan. Dire-direcho po ang proseso. Sana po maunawaan niyo (When it comes to carrying out our vaccinations, being at the vaccine center means so can serve more people. The process is seamless. I hope you understand)," he said.
The ECQ will be imposed over NCR or Metro Manila from August 6 to 20 as a preemptive move against the spread of the Delta variant. Delta has been described by experts as the more contagious and dangerous variant of COVID-19.
Abalos said in a statement last week that the 17 NCR mayors have committed to administer four million jabs during the two-week ECQ period. He said that this would help "achieve population protection the soonest possible time in the NCR, it being the center of the pandemic." "Ang right now, we are soliciting the help of the private, lalo na yung mga malls (especially the malls)," he further bared in the briefing.
"Pero ang pinaka-importante, you have a pool of vaccinators. Yun po yung ina-arrange namin (But the most important thing is to have a pool of vaccinators. That's what we're arranging)," added the MMDA chief.
The 17 NCR mayors comprise the Metro Manila Council (MMC), which serves as the policy-making body of the MMDA.