The local government units of Makati and Quezon City were visited by the Covid-19 Vaccine CODE Team last January 27 and 28, 2021, respectively, for discussions on their readiness for the government's vaccination program roll-out, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Friday.
The Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (C.O.D.E.) Team was formed by the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
It is composed of Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Health Secretary Francisco Duque, DILG Usec. Jonathan E. Malaya, DILG Asec. Marcelo Morales, DOH Dir. Aleli Annie Grace Sudiacal, DOH Dir. Ariel Valencia, PCOO-PIA Usec. Ramon Cualoping and other reps from national government agencies.
Nograles, the IATF Co-Chair, explained during the visits that the Team's aim was to synthesize Covid-19 synergies and program thrusts to better implement the comprehensive vaccination program.
"We want proper coordination with our local governments to ensure the success of our vaccine roll-out. There needs to be full alignment of strategies, interventions and best practices because the national government wants no less than a smooth implementation of this important program," the MalacaΓ±ang official stressed.
Nograles thanked the head of the two LGUs, saying "We praise Mayor Abby Binay and Mayor Joy Belmonte, together with their vice mayors, city councilors and all city hall staff for their quick passage of the needed ordinances to support and implement vaccination."
The two cities have allocated P1 billion to purchase Covid vaccines for their constituents.
The Cab Sec likewise assured that the national government would fill in and supplement whatever shortages there would be in the acquisition of vaccines, noting that "every Filipino -- whatever the economic status, whatever the age -- deserves to be treated and spared from this deadly scourge that has affected the lives of our citizens directly and indirectly."
"The vaccine roll-out is one of the most important programs of the Duterte administration. Perhaps the most comprehensive health initiative ever in our history. We require the unqualified cooperation of every sector in this nationwide campaign. First, we eradicate the virus. Then we heal our economy, stimulate commercial activity and generate jobs," the former legislator from Davao emphasized.
