President Duterte reiterated his call to the public to not skip their second shot of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, saying this is the only protection the government can offer the people amid the ongoing health crisis.
Duterte made the statement after the Philippines breached the two-million mark in terms of COVID-19 cases early this week.
In his pre-recorded public address late Thursday, Sept. 2, the President said there was no other defense against the deadly respiratory illness.
"Vaccination is really the --- what we can offer you to fight COVID. Walang iba (Nothing else)," he said.
"There's no other defense against the microbe," he added.
Duterte reminded the public to complete their vaccination as soon as possible.
"Kung hindi pa kayo nakapag-second dose ninyo, second vaccine, kindly get it as fast as you can. Nandiyan naman 'yung bakuna (If you haven't received your second shot yet, kindly get it as fast as you can. The vaccines are here)," he said.
"For those who would need the second vaccination, kindly do it also in a hurry," he added.
As of Sept. 1, a total of 52,603,760 COVID-19 vaccine doses have arrived in the country. The Philippines received its first batch of vaccines on Feb. 28.
The country has administered 34,112,320 coronavirus vaccine doses with 14,109,916 individuals receiving two doses.
Meanwhile, in Metro Manila, 11,315,892 anti-COVID shots have been administered, with 4,157,092 people getting two shots.