All Makati employees to get free COVID-19 vaccine – Abby Binay

Mayor Abby Binay announced over the weekend that Makati’s free COVID-19 vaccination program would also cover all employees working at all registered businesses in the city even if they are not living in Makati.

The mayor said Makati’s P1-billion fund to buy vaccines and additional supplies from the national government would be enough to cover all businesses in the city.

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“We are confident we will have enough vaccines to cover our essential workers who keep businesses running,” Binay said. “We will use the list of employees declared by the businesses in their permit applications as basis for the number of workers who will be vaccinated for free. This is our way of helping our economic frontliners.”

To qualify for the free COVID-19 vaccination, companies should obtain a 2021 business permit and update their tax payments (including those paying on a staggered basis). However, those that already bought vaccines for their workers would no longer be included in the free inoculation program.

Mayor Abby Binay said the 100-percent COVID-19 vaccination would boost and sustain Makati’s economy.

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The city has a population of over 500,000.

All Makati employees to get free COVID-19 vaccine – Abby Binay

Binay noted that the city’s population increases to nearly five million during day time as non-residents work in the city.

The mayor also assured the residents and workers that the local government would shoulder the medical expenses of anyone who would experience adverse effects after getting the vaccine.

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“Anybody who will suffer adverse effects will receive free hospitalization. For non-residents, it will be covered by PhilHealth and the Malasakit financial assistance from the Department of Health. In Makati, our #ProudMakatizens will get free medical assistance through our Yellow Card program,” Binay said.

“Getting vaccinated is our best hope of fighting the coronavirus. It is a chance to regain mobility and jumpstart the economy. We do not have to live in fear of infecting our families each time we come home from work,” she added.

Binay said they expect to receive the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines this month and would be given immediately to the city’s frontliners.