Some 7,000 transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers and other economic frontliners are expected to be inoculated in the vaccination center launched by Grab Philippines at its office in Makati City.
Grab has partnered with the Makati City local government unit (LGU) to set up its own vaccination facility to provide an additional channel for its partners and economic workers to get their jabs amid the rising COVID-19 cases in the country.
Grab Philippines Country Head Grace Vera Cruz emphasized the need to inoculate workers who continuously support the daily needs of many Filipinos while providing for their families.
"Araw-araw na tinutugunan ng ang ating mga economic frontliners ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan kung kaya’t mahalagang sila ay mabakunahan laban sa COVID-19 (Our economic frontliners always provide the needs of the public so it is important for them to get vaccinated)," Vera Cruz said.
The ride-hailing giant's vaccination facility, located in Wilcon IT Hub in Chino Roces Makati, was opened on Wednesday, Sept. 1, and will operate from Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Grab said up to 400 economic frontliners can be vaccinated in the center per day.
The firm noted that walk-ins will not be allowed. Interested workers can register for a scheduled vaccination here and wait for an official confirmation.
The Makati City Government has provided 14,000 doses of COVID vaccines for the Grab–Makati Vaccination Center, while AC Health will be administering the onsite inoculation.
For her part, Makati Mayor Abby Binay said their partnership with Grab will help accelerate the LGU's vaccination program for the economic frontliners.
"By getting more economic frontliners inoculated, we are helping protect the lives of many economic frontliners, and supporting many businesses to recover and thrive," Binay explained.
According to Grab, the vaccination center is part of its broader GrabBayanihan Vaccination Support Program which aims to increase vaccine access and education by leveraging its platform, technology, and network.
Grab earlier teamed up with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on several ongoing efforts to push more Filipinos to get inoculated such as giving out discounts for consumers and rewards for its partners.