The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on local government units (LGUs) Tuesday, July 27, to consider the safety and comfort of Filipinos who are lining up for vaccination against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) especially during this rainy season.

This, after President Duterte compeled DILG Sec. Eduardo Año to ensure that people are not exposed to health risks and other hazards detrimental to their safety on the day of their vaccination amid torrential monsoon rains and flooding in several areas of the country in the past few days.

In a directive to the governors, mayors, and barangay captains, Año said the LGUs must assure that the vaccination sites, including their outside premises and queueing areas, are safe and convenient with little to no exposure to rains, floods, and other natural or man-made hazards.

"While we are ramping up efforts to vaccinate the majority of our populace, LGUs should take into consideration the safety and convenience of both the vaccination work force and the vaccine recipients. Kailangang siguruhin ng ating mga LGUs na maayos at hindi baha sa vaccination sites upang hindi maexpose sa ibang sakit ang ating mga kababayan (The LGUs need to ensure that the vaccination sites are orderly and not flooded to prevent the people from being exposed to various ailments),’’ Año said.

The DILG chief maintained that the LGUs should also ensure that the facilities in the vaccination sites are designed to give special accommodation to senior citizens, persons with comorbidities and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

In the same directive, Año ordered the LGUs to make their scheduling and appointment system more efficient with definite time slots in order to prevent long lines and unreasonable queueing, especially in the morning.

"The safety of everyone should be top of mind as we carry out our vaccination efforts and especially during this rainy season. Ihanda natin ang ating mga mamamayan at siguruhin nating alam nila ang kanilang gagawin kung sakaling magkaroon ng mga biglaang aberya sa araw ng pagbabakuna," he added.

President Duterte earlier expressed concern over long lines in the vaccination centers and the risk of people getting leptospirosis amid the rains and floods.

He then tasked the DILG to issue a directive to ensure a smoother vaccination drive, especially during floods in the LGUs.

In a related development, DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya revealed that alternative COVID-19 vaccination sites are now being identified in coordination with Metro Manila mayors and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

He noted that 28 out of the 407 operational vaccination sites in NCR are affected by flooding.

“While we understand that we would like to vaccinate as many eligible individuals as possible, there is also the issue of overcrowding in vaccination centers so we already asked the LGUs to identify alternative vaccination sites,” Malaya said.

Malaya added that the affected LGUs have already identified alternative vaccination sites where they will transfer their operations.

The DILG spokesperson also urged the LGUs to ensure the integrity and security of COVID-19 vaccines at all times based on the recommended cold chain temperature requirements.