Rama: I don’t need to be vaccine czar, trust enough for me

Cebu City Vice Mayor Mike Rama. CDN Digital photo | Delta Letigio

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama said he does not need to become the vaccine czar in order to work with the Vaccine Board in preparing for the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccines in the city.

In a phone interview, Rama told CDN Digital that he is grateful for the trust and confidence of Mayor Edgardo Labella to entrust him with such a responsibility.

Although the vice mayor is unclear on whether he will refuse the appointment, he is sure in taking up the leadership for the roll-out of the vaccines

“Currently, the Cebu City Council has convened a body to be in charge of the vaccine roll-out plan. It has appointed me as chairman and City Administrator Atty. Jun Casas as co-chairman, the body is responsible for Cebu City’s Covid 19 Vaccination Program.”

“Councilors from both the majority and the minority are members thereof. The City Health Dept, DOH & the business sector are part of this multi-sectoral body as well. We have already begun work on a vaccine plan. We had our initial focus group discussion with the newly created body this afternoon,” said Rama.

The vice mayor already met with the Vaccine Board on February 9, 2021, to discuss the plans for the vaccine roll-out. The goal of the city government is to have everything set for the arrival of the city-allotted vaccines this month.

The first batch of vaccines will be given to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), but Labella is hoping to get more for the Cebu City Medical Center as well.

Rama said that the council and the board are constantly meeting to prepare for the arrival of the vaccines as well as the city’s own procurement of vaccines for its residents.

Rama said he will present the plans of the city government to the public next week. /rcg