This Week in Metro Manila (January 16 to 22, 2021)

The Quezon City Government announced the launch of the QCitizen ID on their Facebook last January 7, 2020. Quezon City residents can apply for their QCitizen ID online by registering at QC’s portal (http://qceservices.quezoncity.gov.ph/).

Requirements for registration will be a barangay certificate and government-issued ID. After they register, residents will get an ID number and digital ID that can be opened through the QCitizen app. The registration aims to prioritize residents who are also on the COVID-19 vaccine priority list. These include frontliners, solo parents, indigents, PWDs, and senior citizens. The QCitizen ID, which serves as a unified ID system in Quezon City, will also be used for the vaccine distribution in private sectors [1].

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) closed the General Malvar U-turn slot along EDSA last January 11. Motorists are advised to use the Monumento Cloverleaf or Balintawak Cloverleaf as alternate routes. The MMDA previously postponed the closure of the U-turn slot last December 4. In 2020, the MMDA also closed several U-turn slots along EDSA to make way for the construction of the EDSA Busway [2].

Following the involvement of a Makati hotel as the setting of the Christine Dacera alleged rape-slay, the Department of Tourism (DOT) clarified last January 5 that only selected Metro Manila four or five-star accommodations establishments (AEs) are allowed to accept staycations [3]. DOT enumerated 15 AEs that are authorized for staycations. These AEs are the following:

• Solaire Resort

• Hyatt Regency City of Dreams

• Nüwa Manila City of Dreams

• The Peninsula Manila

• Aruga by Rockwell

• Sheraton Manila Hotel

• Hilton Manila

• Hotel Okura Manila

• Grand Hyatt Hotel

• Makati Shangri-La Hotel

• Okada Manila Hotel

• Shangri-La at the Fort

• Nobu Hotel

• Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila

• EDSA Shangri-La Manila

The listed hotels operate only for leisure purposes. AEs that were not mentioned are either used as quarantine hotels or are closed. The DOT release this clarification as the hotel involved in the case is not among the accredited AEs. The department reminded the public to only check-in at accredited AEs. The full list can be found at DOH’s website: http://quarantine.doh.gov.ph/facilities-inspected-as-of-december-21-2020/

Several Metro Manila LGUs have been securing doses of COVID-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca. In Caloocan City, Mayor Oscar Malapitan announced that the local government secured 600,000 dozes that will be given to 35% of the city’s adult population. In addition to AztraZeneca, the LGU is also negotiating with other manufacturers. The Pasig City government also procured 400,000 vaccine doses. Mayor Vico Sotto said that they chose AstraZeneca because it is cheaper and can be transported at normal refrigerated conditions.

Over at Valenzuela City, Mayor Rex Gatchalian announced that they have secured 640,000 doses for 70 percent of the city’s population. Gatchalian adds that the rollout for the vaccines can be around the second half of 2021. Muntinlupa City also signed an agreement with AstraZeneca and the national government to secure stocks of vaccines [4].

Vaccines may arrive in the Philippines by February 2021, Philippine Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr said last January 11. Galvez adds that the expected date of the arrival will be February 20 at the earliest. However, Galvez noted that the delivery dates are still indicative and could possibly be advanced or delayed [5]. The vaccines would be coming from GAVI’s COVAX facility and China’s Sinovac.

Upon arrival, the vaccines will be given to medical frontliners in high risk areas like CALABARZON, Cebu City, Davao City, and Metro Manila. In Metro Manila, Galvez estimated that 50,000 health workers could be vaccinated. Other batches could arrive by April.

In addition to the schedule of rollouts, Galvez also announced that the government is targeting to vaccinate at least 200,000 persons every day when the nationwide vaccination starts. To make sure that the target will be accomplished, there are currently 25,000 vaccinators undergoing training [6].

Currently, the Philippines is awaiting rollouts for China’s Sinovac and Serum Institute of India’s AstraZeneca. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, however, stated on January 12 that only Sinovac will be available from February to June [7].

Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Metro Manila.