Rizal 2nd District Representative Fidel Nograles reiterated that the COVID-19 vaccination program should be the primary goal of the government in the country’s pandemic response. 

According to the lawmaker, the goal should be to widen the coverage of the vaccination program so that the Filipinos will be encouraged to get vaccinated, including those in the municipalities around NCR. 

He also added that expanding the vaccination in different areas will help the government to get in touch with other health workers in different cities like Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal. 

“Besides, we have been using the term NCR Plus long enough to understand that Metro Manila is affected by what is happening to residents of nearby towns. It is about time to give these areas the attention they deserve,” Nograles said. 

Nograles also pointed out that it is essential to allocate more vaccines especially to commuters in  Metro Manila based on the ‘bakuna bubble’ proposal of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez and Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion.

Stressing on people’s right to be vaccinated, Nograles added that he has some constituents in Montalban, Rizal who want to get inoculated but could not be accommodated due to lack of vaccines. He also added that the majority believes in the protection of vaccines. 

“We understand the need to balance the economy and public health but this will be difficult to explain to those who want to be vaccinated but our supply is just not enough to accommodate everyone who wants to get a jab. The way I see it, the majority believes in the protection given by vaccines, we just have to give them the chance to be vaccinated,” Nograles said. 

Photo Credit: Facebook/CongFidelNograles