The Makati City local government announced on Friday, Jan. 28, that it has distributed a total of 31,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses as part of its "Sister Cities" program which aims to assist Makati's nearby localities in responding to various calamities and disasters.
According to City Administrator Claro Certeza, five local government units (LGUs) have already received Makati's vaccine donations.
On Wednesday, Jan. 27, Makati City released 13,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to Batangas province. Vice Governor Mark Leviste personally attended the turnover ceremony at the Makati City Hall.
The city also distributed 2,000 vaccine doses to the City of Malabon on Thursday.
Earlier this month, Makati donated 5,000 vaccine doses to Urdaneta, Pangasinan; 1,000 doses and syringes to Cuenca, Batangas; and 10,000 doses to Batac, Ilocos Norte.
“We have prioritized our sister-cities and municipalities in offering free COVID vaccines. We aim to help them bounce back from the crisis and contribute to national economic recovery,” Certeza said.
Makati City Mayor Abby Binay said that the city is fully prepared to help other areas in responding to the pandemic especially against the more contagious Omicron and Delta variants.