The MVP Group ramps up population protection, turning over its latest batch of COVID-19 vaccines with its commitment to support various NCR and regional local government units.
Malabon City is the most recent recipient of AstraZeneca vaccines from the group of companies chaired by business leader Manuel V. Pangilinan. A total of 10,000 doses will be provided by the MVP Group through a donation facilitated by PLDT-Smart Foundation and MPIC Foundation.
The initial delivery for Malabon LGU was used for vaccination drives at Saints Peter and John Parish in Barangay Potrero, Immaculate Concepcion Church in Barangay Concepcion, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Barangay Maysilo.
“The partnership formed with the MVP Group is a welcome and appreciated gesture by the City of Malabon. As we see the rest of the world grapple to control the pandemic, keep the economy afloat and social services undisrupted, it is these acts of kindness that keep us inspired— it serves that extra boost of confidence that we will survive this challenging time ‘dahil meron tayong bayanihan at malasakit sa ating kapwa’. Maraming Salamat MVP, PLDT, Smart and MPIC. Thank you for making Malabon part of your advocacy,” Malabon Mayor Len Oreta said.
Before the vaccinations in Malabon City, the MVP Group recently provided vaccines to support the immunization program of Navotas City. The local government considers vaccinations as one of the best ways to curb the rise in COVID-19 cases, apart from encouraging constituents to observe health protocols and remain at home as much as possible, as well as putting up community isolation centers. With the latter, a new 160-bed facility complements the initial 300-bed isolation center constructed by the city government.
"Sa mga bumubuo ng PLDT-Smart Foundation at Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, sa ngalan ng aking kababayang Navoteno, ako po ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa inyong donasyon ng 5,000 doses ng bakuna laban sa COVID-19. Maraming salamat po," Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco said.
Regional vaccinations
The NCR vaccinations followed MVP Group’s support for regional immunization programs, which primarily involved activating medical teams from the conglomerate’s own Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings, Inc (MPHHI).
Vaccines donated by PLDT and MPIC to General Santos City were administered by frontliners from St. Elizabeth Hospital (SEHI), while Davao Doctors Hospital (DDH) facilitated the allocation for Davao City. SEHI and DDH are among the 18 premiere healthcare facilities that comprise MPHHI’s nationwide portfolio, making the MPIC subsidiary the largest private hospital group in the country.
Bacolod City also received an initial 5,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines, aimed at fast-tracking the inoculation of more city residents amid the rise in COVID-19 infections. The said LGU previously shared that PLDT and MPIC’s donation will specifically help ramp up inoculations in barangays and hard-to-reach communities in Bacolod City.
Economic recovery through vaccinations
"We are pleased to be part of the vaccination program of Malabon and being able to provide the much-needed vaccines for their community," MPIF President and MPIC VP for Public Relations and Corporate Communications Melody del Rosario said.
"We in PLDT-Smart Foundation are united with our government in the effort to reach herd immunity soonest. The recent surge in Delta variant cases moves all of us to act with urgency to protect our people. We are happy to partner with local government units to attain this end," PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther O. Santos said.
A major partner of both enterprises and small to medium-sized businesses that form the backbone of the Philippine economy, PLDT Enterprise was also key to all the LGU vaccine partnerships. The corporate business unit of the PLDT Group aims to spur economic recovery and boost resiliency for businesses with more of the local population getting vaccinated.
“We at PLDT Enterprise aim to support the recovery of businesses across the country not only through technology, but also by augmenting the vaccination programs of our LGUs with our services. This endeavor is aligned with our goal of making a positive impact on every single business, even amid the current situation,” said Jovy Hernandez, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP and Head of PLDT & Smart Enterprise and International Business Groups.
#WeGotYourVac employee program
The MVP Group’s provision of AstraZeneca vaccines for LGUs is synchronized with the rollout of regional Moderna vaccinations under the conglomerate’s own #WeGotYourVac immunization program for employees, as well as their qualified dependents and household members. The MVP Group initially launched in the first week of July the inoculation initiative for non-medical employees of its 60,000-strong workforce, following vaccinations for its Hospital Group in the first quarter of 2021.
Earlier this year, MPHHI helped ramp up LGU vaccinations by offering the expertise and available capacity of its largest NCR hospitals, where up to 98% of frontliners were vaccinated as early as the first quarter of 2021. The Group also showed solidarity with the national government and other members of the private sector with the ceremonial start of the vaccination rollout for the A4 sector towards the end of the first half of 2021. This was in partnership with the National Task Force Against COVID-19, Taskforce T3 (Test, Trace and Treat), and the Department of Health (DOH).
