Almost 90 percent of the essential workers of the Vista Mall and Starmall stores nationwide have been vaccinated as part of the Villar Group’s effort to protect its workforce and its valued customers from the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

The figure represents members of the sales team, cashiers, managers, security guards, among other essential workers under the Villar Group’s chain of malls.

Vista Mall and Starmall have 31 branches nationwide, including Vista Malls in Las Piñas, in Lakefront in Taguig, the Evia Lifestyle Center along Daang Hari Road in Las Piñas City, NOMO, a Vista Lifestyle Center in Bacoor, Cavite as well as Starmall branches in EDSA-Shaw in Mandaluyong and in Alabang.

With the Group’s VHealthy campaign in full-swing, the Vista Mall and Starmall management assured the public that the vaccination of its workforce gives everyone a boost of confidence and protection in terms of dealing with customers.

With a safer workplace, employees are more optimistic in providing efficient service despite some of the challenges posed by the current Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine in Metro Manila and some provinces.

Earlier, Villar Group Chairman Manny Villar has reiterated his call for his teams and the rest of the group to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Speaking in one of the VHealthy webinars aimed to educate the workers and staff members about the impact of the COVID-19 virus to one’s health and the importance of getting vaccinated, Villar said the Group has ordered AztraZeneca and Moderna vaccines for all of its employees.

Villar also assured his teams of the company’s continuing support despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

Since the pandemic started, Villar said the company has been providing free swab tests regularly to its workforce, especially those who are directly dealing with customers. The Group also provided assistance to some employees who were infected with the virus, he added.

While the Villar’s chain of malls have adapted contactless shopping, curbside pick up of pre-ordered items through its consumer hotlines, mobile apps, Facebook pages and websites, the Chairman still underscored the importance of getting vaccinated to protect the workforce.

When the workers are protected, Villar added, they are also able to protect their families. At work, they will also boost the confidence of the company’s clientele, especially in the retail, food, housing and commercial businesses.

“The vaccine will not only help build immunity from the virus, but will also help boost consumer confidence to go out again,” Villar said.

“Hence, the vaccine will not only save lives but jobs and businesses, as well. It is by helping each other during this time that we can start our journey to economic recovery,” he added.

Manuel Paolo Villar, President & CEO of Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc., said the Group is “committed to inform and to engage our employees on the benefits of the vaccine, and to create a healthy and safe workplace for them and our clients.”

The Villar Group has launched a few months ago the VHealthy campaign, which includes the conduct of massive information campaign to tackle safety protocols and the importance of getting inoculated. Health experts and resource speakers from relevant organizations were invited via video conference to enlighten the staff and employees about the COVID-19 virus and the vaccines.