The Makati City local government announced on Tuesday, Dec. 7, that it has already distributed more than P37 million worth of gift checks to its fully vaccinated senior citizens against COVID-19.
Makati City Mayor Abby Binay said that the city government has distributed a total of P37,743,000 worth of gift certificates to more than 37,743 fully vaccinated seniors.
Binay added that the P1,000-gift check is part of the city's initiatives to encourage senior citizens to get themselves inoculated against COVID-19, especially amid the threat of the Omicron variant which said to be more transmissible than the Delta variant.
“The P1000-gift check incentive was one of the strategic measures taken by my administration to encourage the elderly to have themselves vaccinated as early as possible. Our efforts have been rewarded because we have surpassed the target vaccination rate for their age group," the mayor said.
According to data from the Department of Health (DOH), the city has achieved 105 percent of its vaccination target in priority group A2 (senior citizens).
"Senior citizens are among the most at-risk groups for severe cases of COVID-19. It is comforting to know that they now have the full protection of the vaccine, and can enjoy the holidays with less worries,” Binay explained.
She also encouraged senior citizens to get their booster shots so they can have added protection against the virus.
According to the DOH data, 9,774 senior citizens in Makati have already received their booster shots.
"We are already giving booster shots for Makatizens who wish to avail of it. It would be best if our senior citizens have their booster shots in time for the holidays,” Binay said.
Makati City has started distributing the gift certificates on July 1.
Besides the COVID-19 vaccinations, the local government unit (LGU) continues its regular door-to-door delivery of free vitamins and maintenance medicines for seniors amid the pandemic. They are also prioritized for the free flu and pneumonia vaccines provided by the city government.