Presidential candidate Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso has offered anti-COVID-19 medicines to patients infected by the coronavirus and who are now in various hospitals in Central Luzon.
“Let us all be careful. There are still many COVID infections. Get vaccinated as soon as possible for extra protection” Moreno told more than 2,000 farmers and members of the transport sector in Talavera, Nueva Ecija.
The standard-bearer of Aksyon Demokratiko made the offer during his Listening Tour in Talavera. After Nueva Ecija, Team Isko Moreno will be in Mabalacat and Angeles City in Pampanga today.
Today, December 3, Moreno’s team will be in the cities of Malolos and Meycauayan in Bulacan.
Also, Domagoso on Thursday backed President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to hold the three-day National Vaccination drive aimed at fast-tracking the inoculation of 9 million Filipinos in need of protection against COVID-19.
Moreno stressed that the vaccination drive proved effective, especially in the provinces where many people remain unvaccinated due to previous problems of supply.
Moreno said the City of Manila has a ready supply of known anti-COVID drugs such as Remdesivir, Tocilizumab, Molnupiraivir and Baricitinib whom he described as hard to find drugs and just as hard to pronounce and remember their names.
“These drugs are hard to find in the world, really hard. Even the rich can’t afford it, moreso if you are poor. When you are infected with Covid, you are worried, your loved ones are in danger. But don’t be ashamed, because in Manila City we embrace every person inside and outside Manila City,” Moreno pointed out.
Knowing too well that anti-Covid drugs are not easy to source and procure due to its high-demand in the market, Moreno said Manila is opening its doors to non-city residents to be able to receive it once the need arises.
“I mentioned that because I don’t know, I can’t predict what will happen tomorrow if we are in need. But just in case, you just knock, you are welcome to Manila,” Moreno said.
During the surge in COVID-19 infections this year, the City of Manila has been generous in giving out to other local government units antiviral drugs such as Remdesivir and Tocilizumab which were hailed as life-saving medicines.
Moreno maintained that instead of buying face shields, the national government should procure the two anti-Covid 19 drugs which have been proven effective for the patient’s recovery from the infection.
Last week, around 40,000 capsules of Molnupiravir were delivered to the Sta. Ana Hospital in Manila where there is sufficient storage space for the antiviral drug that is said to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death of Covid patients by 50 percent.
Moreno formally handed several boxes of Molnupiravir to the Manila Covid 19 Field Hospital in Luneta as a symbolic gesture that mild to moderate Covid patients can be assured of adequate treatment with the new wonder drug.
Molnupiravir is the first oral antiviral drug that will prevent mild to moderate cases of Covid-19 from progressing into severe disease that needs hospitalization.
Early this week, around 6,000 capsules of Baricitinib, another anti-Covid 19 drug were given to the City of Manila through Mayor Isko and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna.
Moreno’s running mate, Dr. Willie Ong told the audience that during Moreno’s time as vice-mayor of the city, he was instrumental in getting 20 people undergo successful liver transplant with each operation costing around P2 million.
Ong said through Moreno’s efforts, the quality of health care in Manila greatly improved with the construction of more public hospitals that will cater to the medical needs of its people.
The Covid-19 pandemic last year, Ong said, also proved that Moreno is a man of action when he ordered the construction of the Manila Covid-19 Field Hospital in Rizal Park in a record 52 days.
“This is the victory of our country. We are also thankful for the new policy direction of President Duterte in which he encouraged local governments to successfully vaccinate their respective citizens to join the National Vaccination Days,” Moreno said, in an interview with reporters in Mabalacat, Pampanga.
Moreno added that if the intensified vaccination drive continues, the majority of Filipinos would have been inoculated by the end of the year.
“As you can see from the data shown to us with the concerted effort of all government units through the leadership of President Duterte and IATF, the other day is about 2.4 million have been vaccinated. Yesterday, 2.2 million. So just imagine if we are doing this every single day, by the time the end of the year, we have already inoculated our people. Everyone now is protected. We can now have protection against Covid-19,” Moreno explained.
Moreno, at the same time, gave assurance to the national government that LGUs like the City of Manila will continue to support President Duterte’s campaign to beat Covid-19.
“And I would like to at least give credit to my director of Manila Health Department. Across NCR, we have the biggest contribution due to the effort of our doctors. At least here, I can thank them that caring for each other happens, especially in a pandemic,” Moreno said.
Moreno also took the opportunity to thank local officials and the people of Mabalacat for the warm reception he and the rest of his party received upon their arrival there.
Joining Moreno in the “Listening Tour” are his running mate Dr. Willie Ong and senatorial bets Moro civic leader and women’s rights advocate Samira Gutoc, former Quezon City councilor Jopet Sison and radio host and entrepreneur Carl Balita.