Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, along with top city officials and the manufacturers, Sinovac Life Sciences Ltd, represented by its Philippine distributor, IP-Biotech, Inc., welcomed 400,000 doses of Sinovac’s Coronavac at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on the 450th anniversary of the city’s founding (IPB).
The Manila local government acknowledged and congratulated its upstanding residents and businesses at a private ceremony held at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ Metropolitan Theater yesterday. All frontline fighters who gave their lives in the struggle against COVID-19 received a posthumous award. Moreno received the vaccine doses at the airport as the celebration came to a close, signaling yet another ray of hope for Manilenyos.
Last month, stock levels in the capital city were dangerously low, prompting the decision to suspend walk-in vaccinations; however, thanks to the City’s foresight and planning, as well as a strong working relationship with IPB, with whom they have been in talks for doses since April, Manila’s “Vaccine Nation” campaign is moving forward steadily.
In terms of vaccine coverage, Manila has reached 41% of its target population of 800,000 people. This is in conjunction with the Vice President’s Office’s Vaccine Express program, which provides a drive-through vaccination facility for personnel of the transportation sector and petrol vouchers to assist them in returning to work and reviving the economy.
“Kaiba sa atin selebrasyon noong 2020, ipinagdiriwang natin ngayong taon ang Araw ng Maynila nang pisikal tayong magkakasama habang istriktong sumusunod sa minimum health protocols,” the Mayor said.
“Your City will continue to vaccinate as many as possible, as soon as possible. Our partnership with IP-Biotech and other local businesses will help us reach herd immunity in no time. More jabs will also create more jobs that will contribute to economic recovery,” Moreno added.
IPB Chairman Enrique Gonzalez said, “We are honored to be of service to the City of Manila on the Araw Ng Maynila. We are also inspired to see the many innovations implemented by City of Manila such as their vaccine ID system and free covid-testing. Mabuhay Ang Manila! Mabuhay Ang Pilipinas!”
Aside from the immunizations, the city also opened a new COVID-19 field hospital on Maynila Day. The Araw ng Maynila Racing Festival was opened in Carmona, Cavite, and the new Archbishop of Manila, Jose Cardinal Advincula, was installed in the Manila Cathedral. [][][]
