Despite Manila being the country’s most densely populated city, the Manila local government was able to implement an effective COVID-19 response program because of the contributions of women frontliners led by Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna.
In a brief message to Manila City Hall workers to mark Women’s Month, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Monday said he was thankful to the people of Manila for “giving me a woman partner in taking the lead at pamunuan ang ating minamahal na lungsod at humigit kumulang dalawang milyong mamamayan sa ating kapitolyo ng bansa.”
And I didn’t do it alone. I know some of you, sad to say, paid the ultimate price. Being with our people, doing our job, given tasks.”
The Aksyon Demokratiko presidential candidate also thanked women frontliners in the city, and said that because of their efforts, “mukhang nakikita na natin ang bukang liwayway ng tagumpay ng laban sa pandemyang ito.”
“And I didn’t do it alone. I know some of you, sad to say, paid the ultimate price. Being with our people, doing our job, given tasks.”
“And some of us also got sick by performing our duties. But I’m really proud of our employees whether casual, JO, officers, managerial members of the city government. I’m really proud of you,” said the local chief executive.
Moreno pointed out that Manila is one of the world’s most densely populated cities, and that containing COVID-19 was challenging due to this reality.
“Our basic goal is to save as many people as possible, whether Manilans or non-Manilans. So that’s why I am grateful to each and everyone of you, especially kayong mga kababaihan dahil si Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, representing our city in their respective homes/houses, just to protect yung ating mga physically challenged na mga mamamayan.”
With a population density of 43,079 residents per square kilometer, Manila is the most densely populated city in the Philippines, and the second-most densely populated city in the world.
“One of the key elements for Covid to spread is enough space but despite na tayo’y siksik because of your effort, because of your help, napagtagumpayan natin na wag mapariwara ang ating kababayan. Hindi perpekto pero numbers don’t lie,” said Moreno.
“Our basic goal is to save as many people as possible, whether Manilans or non-Manilans. So that’s why I am grateful to each and everyone of you, especially kayong mga kababaihan dahil si Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, representing our city in their respective homes/houses, just to protect yung ating mga physically challenged na mga mamamayan.”
Under the leadership of Moreno, Manila has administered over 3.3 million vaccine doses, with 1,637,061 individuals or 121.13% of its target population now fully vaccinated. It surpassed its target by providing vaccines for non-Manila residents as well as the establishment of novel vaccination programs such as 24/7 drive-through vaccination centers, vaccination centers at LRT train stations, and the use of Manila Zoo as an additional vaccination site.