The distribution of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines should now be focused in the provinces since there is already an improved health situation in Metro Manila.

This was emphasized by League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) president and Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr. on Friday, Oct. 22, as he requested the national government to transport more vaccines to the provinces.

“Nandiyan naman po ang ating ekonomiya na nagpapagulong. So ngayon naman po mukhang maganda na po sa NCR at maganda na po ang resulta. Bumaba na po ang transmission so hinihiling nga po ng mga iba't ibang LGUs na dagdagan na po ang allocation nila at sanay na po sila sa pagbabakuna at natatakot na din po sila dahil kokonti pa ang bakuna nila (Our economy is already rolling. So now, things are looking bright in NCR and the results are looking good. The transmission has gone down so various LGUs are requesting for additional allocation and they are abreast in administering the vaccine but they are worried with their low vaccine supply),’’ Velasco said.

He noted that a number of LGUs reported that they only have received between 20 to 30 percent of their vaccine supplies.

"So hinihiling po nila na damihan na po ngayon para naman po maabot nila ang population protection (So they are now requesting for more to enable them to achieve population protection)," the LPP president said.

The national government aims to vaccinate 77 million Filipinos, which represent 70 percent of the 110 million total population, by the end of 2021 to reach population protection.

With regards to the vaccination of young age groups and booster shots to some sectors, Velasco expressed confidence that the provinces have enough experience and expertise to undertake the necessary procedures.

He, however, assured that the LGUs will inform the concerned authorities in case they are not up to the vaccination tasks.