As the country gets closer to purchasing vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos plans to open the agency’s quarantine facility to a national vaccination center that will help the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on its plan to rollout the vaccination program.
According to Abalos, the 800-square meter facility will be turned into COVID-19 vaccination center that will help expedite the distribution and administration of the vaccines once they are available.
“We are always willing to lend assistance.”
“The MMDA quarantine facility is open for any national government agency that needs a place to efficiently roll out the anti-COVID-19 vaccination program. We are always willing to lend assistance to stop the transmission of disease at the soonest time possible so we can go back to normal again,” the traffic chief said during his inspection of the MMDA facility recently.
The traffic head also said that the agency will assist Metro Manila local government units on vaccine logistics and equipment for quick mobility across the National Capital Region.
Meanwhile, he also bared his plans for all the agency’s employees to undergo monthly RT-PCR swab test to ensure the personnel’s health and safety as the MMDA continues to deliver its services across the metropolis.
“Our personnel’s welfare is our topmost priority.”
“Our personnel’s welfare is our topmost priority. We need to make sure that they are safe from the dangers of COVID-19. This is one of our ways to help the national government in curbing the spread of the disease,” Abalos stressed.
Last year, the MMDA allotted P20 million pesos for vaccine procurement for its entire workforce. Each employee can also nominate one member of their family to receive vaccination, as well.
The agency continues to implement basic health protocols such as wearing of face shield and face masks, maintaining physical distancing, and checking of body temperatures. Marshalls are also in place at the building to make sure that all the health protocols are being followed.
Last May 2020, the MMDA established the isolation facility located in the agency’s headquarters in Makati to serve as a temporary holding area for its own employees who need to undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine in accordance with the Department of Health’s protocols. It is air-conditioned and fully equipped with shower rooms, comfort rooms and lavatories, and Wi-Fi connection.