1,500 PUV drivers, delivery riders in Manila get P500 fuel subsidy for getting vaccinated

At least 1,500 public utility vehicle drivers (PUV) and delivery riders decided to get a COVID-19 vaccination in exchange for a P500 fuel card in Manila City, the Office of Vice President (OVP) Leni Robredo said Tuesday.

The OVP said this happened on the first day of the office and City of Manila's #VaccineExpress joint project which provided drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination services for tricycle, pedicab and delivery services drivers which will go on until tomorrow, June 23.

"As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, the OVP Vaccine Express has vaccinated more than 1,500 individuals. This was made possible through the OVP and Manila City LGU’s cooperation with CCP, UBE Express, and SMART, Inc.," the OVP said in a statement.

"The OVP also partnered with Seaoil Philippines and Shell Philippines in giving free P500 gas cards to drivers and riders who availed of the vaccination service," the OVP added.

Robredo also said Tuesday that the next #VaccineExpress project will still be in Manila, benefitting market vendors.

"We really wanted to make the COVID-19 vaccines accessible to drivers, delivery riders, so they can get the vaccine without hampering their means to earn a living. Hindi nila kailangan mag-miss ng araw para lang magpabakuna (They do not need to take a day off work just to get a vaccine)," Robredo added in a separate interview.

"Isusunod na po natin ang market vendors. Inapprove na po ni Mayor Isko [Moreno] kanina yung proposal natin," Robredo added.

(We will offer this next to market vendors. Mayor Isko has already agreed to this proposal.)

Robredo said vaccine hesitancy is not always about fear of vaccines but lack of time to line up in getting the vaccine.

"Kadalasan kasi, iyong iba sinasabi wala silang panahon, busy sila naghahanapbuhay. Kinwenta natin na iyong paglatag nito sinisiguro natin na sandaling-sandali lang sila. Kasi ang iba, hindi naman sa hesitant magpabakuna pero laging sinasabi, parang, sayang sa oras. So ito, hindi natin pinahirapan," she pointed out.

(Most of the time, these individuals who work under these sectors are very busy earning a living. We took this into account and made sure they will quickly get their vaccine. People are not really hesitant, they were just hesitating because getting a vaccine could take a lot of time so we had to make this accessible.)

The #VaccineExpress project incentivizing those who will agree to get a COVID-19 vaccine was launched in Manila City less than a day after President Rodrigo Duterte said he will arrest individuals who will refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and inject the vaccine on their butt. -MDM, GMA News