NCR mayors challenged to get vaccines first

Metro Manila mayors were challenged to volunteer themselves to get the first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine in their respective cities, according to a report by Manila Bulletin.

The idea to have city mayors lead their city’s vaccination rollout was floated by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos during the visit of the Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) team to San Juan City on Wednesday, Feb. 10.

“I do not want to force people, but I’m also floating this idea to the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases), baka pwede lahat na show force (maybe we can all show force),” Abalos said.

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Abalos added that aside from city mayors, popular athletes could also volunteer to get the COVID-19 vaccines first.

On Feb. 10, San Juan City Mayor Francisco Zamora wrote a letter to Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III volunteering himself to get the first COVID-19 vaccine shot in the city.

Zamora said this move will help allay the fears of his constituents on the vaccine’s safety.

Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro also said that he and other local officials of the city want to have themselves inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine first.

Teodoro said the move will help boost the resident’s confidence in vaccines.