Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Monday observed the ceremonial COVID-19 vaccination for frontline workers of the Philippine General Hospital together with national government officials in the health sector.
Domagoso was joined by Manila City Vice Mayor Maria Sheilah ‘Honey’ Lacuna-Pangan to observe the ceremonial vaccination.
“This is where our dream of living a secure life begins in the coming weeks, months and whole year of 2021,” Domagoso said in his speech before PGH frontline workers.
“I will respect your beliefs, your views, but if you ask me as your father in the city—do not postpone it, do not risk your safety. It is important that you get protection as soon as possible.”
Likewise, the Mayor reiterated his willingness to be vaccinated in the coming days, while also stressing that medical frontliners should be vaccinated first.
“We will get vaccinated so that I can divide your fears somehow. I will accompany you in your fears, we will join you in your fears. Let us save lives,” Domagoso said.
Also present at the event were National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementor Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.; Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.; Department of Health Undersecretary and Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo; Dr. Paz Corrales, assistant regional director of the National Capital Region DOH-Centers for Health Development; and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos.
Galvez said getting vaccinated was a “moral obligation” that everyone needs and in order to help the economy survive.
“Our economy will not be able to recover, we will not be able to restore our former life if we do not get vaccinated,” the NTF chief implementor said.
Legaspi recalled the extreme challenges he and other frontline workers experienced when COVID-19 cases started spreading.
The PGH director is the first Filipino to be officially vaccinated in the country with SinoVac after it was formally authorized for use by the national government.
“Experts say that the best vaccine is the one that is in your arm,” Legaspi said.