Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso kicked off the 450th anniversary of the city’s founding by welcoming 400,000 doses of Sinovac’s Coronavac at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport along with top city officials and the manufacturers, Sinovac Life Sciences Ltd., represented by Philippine distributor IP-Biotech Inc.
A private ceremony was held at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ Metropolitan Theater, where the Manila local government honored and thanked upstanding citizens and businesses. A posthumous award was also bestowed upon all frontliners who gave their lives in the fight against COVID-19. The event was capped with Moreno receiving the doses of the vaccine at the airport, which signals yet another ray of hope for Manilenyos.
Last month, stocks in the capital city were precariously low, which prompted the decision to halt walk-in vaccinations. However, due to the city’s foresight and planning, as well as a great working relationship with IPB, with whom they have been in talks with since April for doses, Manila’s “Vaccine Nation” campaign marches steadily forward.
In terms of vaccination performance, Manila has vaccinated 41 percent of its 800,000-target population. This is in tandem with the Vaccine Express project of the Office of the Vice President, where a drive-through vaccination site for members of the transport sector receive their inoculations as well as gas cards to help them get back to work and revive 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 said.
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!"
Apart from the vaccines arriving, the city inaugurated a new COVID-19 field hospital on Araw ng Maynila. The new Archbishop of Manila, Jose Cardinal Advincula was installed in the Manila Cathedral, and the Araw ng Maynila Racing Festival was launched in Carmona, Cavite.