MMDA’s Abalos: NCR has vaccinated 100% of target population

The National Capital Region has vaccinated 100% of its target population, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced Thursday.

MMDA chairperson Benhur Abalos Jr. previously said the region had an eligible population of 9.8 million.

“100% na ang Metro Manila sa bakuna. Talagang natapos natin ito,” Abalos said during his speech at the Bayanihan, Bakunahan event.

(Metro Manila has vaccinated 100%. We completed it.)

The Department of the Interior and Local Government recently announced that 23 highly urbanized cities, most of which are in NCR, have fully vaccinated 70% or above their target population.

Delta variant

Abalos also expressed pride in controlling the spread of the Delta variant.

“At hindi lang ‘yun, ‘yung surge ng Delta sa ibang lugar, nawalan ng oxygen tanks, napuno, hindi naman natin ito na-experience sa Pilipinas,” he said.

(And that’s not all, the surge of Delta in other areas, they had no more oxygen tanks, their facilities became full, we did not experience that here.)

“If there’s one thing na ipagmamalaki ko, even right now, you compare the peak to peak, ‘yung peak natin at peak nila during Delta malayo. Magaling talaga ang ginawa ng team na ito,” he added.

(If there is one thing I would take pride in, if you compare peak to peak, our peak and their peak during Delta is very different. Our team did really well.)

Meanwhile, Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos announced that the city has administered more than 1 million jabs against COVID-19 on December 6.

“The City Government of Mandaluyong Vaccination Roll-out Program implementation is one, if not the fastest, and the most efficient inoculation program in the entire Capital Region,” she said.

SM Supermalls President Steven Tan also said that over 6.5 million doses were administered at SM malls across the country.

During the government’s three-day vaccination drive from November 29 to December 1, he said more than 300,000 doses were administered at 66 SM malls.

“We continue to encourage more of our fellow Filipinos to get vaccinated. Our mall vaccination sites will remain open to welcome you and help you get inoculated with ease,” he said.

“Let us continue to show how powerful the Bayanihan Spirit is among Filipinos during the second wave of our national vaccination days this December 15 to 17. Get vaccinated, volunteer, be the advocates of vaccination in our communities,” he added.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., Cabinet Secretary Vince Dizon, and Education Secretary Leonor Briones were also present. — RSJ, GMA News