COVID-19 SHOTS | Thousands crowd in vaccination sites ahead of ECQ in Metro Manila

August 5, 2021 , 01:02 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(August 5, 2021) – Thousands flocked to several vaccination sites in Metro Manila on Thursday to try their luck as walk-ins in getting COVID-19 shots before the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) takes effect tomorrow.

WATCH | This is the line for a COVID-19 vaccination site in Robinsons Las Piñas past 2 a.m. on Thursday morning. By 2:45 a.m., they ran towards another area after learning the actual queue is supposed to start. (via News5/@thisjustinne) pic.twitter.com/QmPNWeYxY1

— ONE News PH (@onenewsph) August 5, 2021

Many feared the possibility of not being able to get vaccinated when the two-week lockdown starts because local government units (LGUs) will only accommodate those who have a schedule. Health undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said on Tuesday walk-ins for senior citizens will be allowed.

One worker said his company might not allow them to physically report for work unless they’re immunized.

“Sabi nila ‘pag wala kaming vaccine, ‘di na kami papasukin,” said Marcelo Lebrado, one of the people who lined up in Las Piñas, in an interview with News 5. “Kaya nagmamadali kami. Galing pa kami sa trabaho.”

One resident says he received a text message from his company about the possibility of not allowing them to go to work if they are unvaccinated. He said this is his reason for lining up at the inoculation site this morning. (via News5/@thisjustinne) pic.twitter.com/2etat9tMe3

— ONE News PH (@onenewsph) August 5, 2021

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has repeatedly cautioned employers against implementing the policy it described as “illegal and discriminatory” since the country’s COVID-19 vaccine supply remains limited for the priority population.

DOLE secretary Silvestre Bello III recently said companies should instead help encourage their workers to sign up for vaccination without using it as a requirement for work.

“We have already advised our employers that you cannot impose vaccination as a pre-condition to continue or as a continuation of your employment,” said Bello on One News Now on Wednesday.

Some people who lined up also heard false information that they would not be allowed to go out completely if they’re not yet vaccinated.

President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly expressed his desire to restrict the movement of those who refuse to get vaccinated. He previously threatened to order their arrest to curb the spread of COVID-19. Lawyers and human rights groups challenged his remark.

Other cities like Manila also saw an overwhelming number of walk-ins in vaccination sites to the point that security forces were no longer able to implement physical distancing. Some of the people even allegedly came from neighboring provinces like Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan.

Local authorities said around 20,000 people trooped to four different malls in Manila to get their COVID-19 shot, with the majority going to SM San Lazaro. It prompted officials to suspend the vaccination in the said site to ensure people’s safety and security.

“Hindi alam ng karamihan sa mga dumagsa kung ano ang QR (quick response) code, o na dapat magpakita ng QR code sa bakunahan. Bago ka makapagpabakuna sa Maynila, kailangan mo muna ng QR code. Hindi sila rehistrado,” said the Manila Public Information Office.

Overall, only close to 10 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated while only around 12 million have received their first dose.

Less than 40 million COVID-19 shots have been delivered to the country based on government figures but the stockpile is still not enough to cover the minimum figure required to achieve “population protection” before the year ends.

(PM | With reports from Justinne Punsalang, News 5)

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