'Population protection' vs. COVID-19 eyed in NCR Plus by Nov. 27 —Palace

The government is eyeing to achieve "population protection" against COVID-19 in NCR Plus by November 27, Malacañang said Tuesday amid criticism that the vaccination has so far been snail-paced.

"Hirap sa mga kritiko eh parang nagdadasal na tayo ay sumablay, huwag naman po. Ang determinasyon ng Pangulo ay population protection sa Metro Manila plus by November 27," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing.

(It's as if the critics want the government to fail. They should not do that. The President is determined to reach population protection for Metro Manila plus by November 27.)

NCR Plus refers to Metro Manila and the adjacent provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.

"Sa November 27 tayo mag-usap (We'll get back to you in November 27)," Roque told the critics, which include among them opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros.

"This (strategy) is because most of the COVID-19 cases are really in the Metro Manila Plus," he said.

Roque also said the target of fully vaccinating 58 million people by the end of the year is unchanged. Fifty-eight million is 70% of the population in NCR Plus, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao.

"We still aim to vaccinate 58 million by the end of the year," he said as he urged the public to comply with minimum health standards, including shunning "superspreader" events and getting a vaccine as soon as it is available, regardless of brand.

"Do not go to superspreader events so we can get a vaccine rather than end up in a cemetery," Roque said.

"Protect yourself, protect your family, protect your community by getting vaccinated with what is available." --KBK, GMA News