Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Saturday, Jan. 16, bared his plans to use the newly renovated Manila as a vaccination site for minors aged 5 to 11 and senior citizens.

“So we thought, dahil sa nagre-request na mga tao sa Manila Zoo, at least magkaroon sila ng sneak peek. At marami naman na ang mapapasyalan dito - open air, maaliwalas. Double purpose pa, maipapasyal nila ang kanilang apo o yung mga lolo at lola (So we thought, because of the people requesting at the Manila Zoo, at least they should have a sneak peek. And there are many things to visit here - open air, clear. Double purpose, they can also go with their grandchildren or grandparents),” Domagoso said during his visit to the zoo.

“Pag dumating na ang bakuna 5-11 years old, pwede na rin natin sila bakunahan dito. In a matter of few hours, in a matter of day or two, 48 hours or 24 hours, makakakuha na kayo ng abiso sa amin (When the vaccine arrives (for) 5-11 years old, we can also vaccinate them here. In a matter of a few hours, in a matter of a day or two, 48 hours or 24 hours, you will get a notification from us),” he said.

The COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5 to 11 is expected to roll out starting Feb. 1 to 7.

Only 500 to 1,000 people will be accommodated daily at the Manila Zoo to avoid overcrowding at the venue, the Manila mayor noted.

“Ngayon, para hindi malabag ang alituntinin ng IATF , (Now, in order not to violate the IATF protocol) due diligence will be observed by the city — ika-cap natin. Ibig sabihin, magkakaroon ng registration. Ilo-launch din natin website ng Manila Zoo, para dun magparehistro yung gusting magpabakuna (This means that there will be registration. We will also launch the Manila Zoo website, so that those who want to get vaccinated can register),” he said.

Parents of the minors, as well as their grandparents who are senior citizens, are also eligible to avail of the booster shots at the vaccination site.

The vaccination site will also be open to both residents and non-residents of Manila, Domagoso added.

“Ngayon, may Manila Zoo na. Kaya mga ibang lolo at lola natin dito sa Luzon o Metro Manila, basta pagbukas ng website at bukas na yung registration, tira na kayo, punta na kayo dito. It is going to be a daily thing. Nakapamasyal na kayo, naproteksyonan niyo pa (Today, there is already a Manila Zoo. So our other grandparents here in Luzon or Metro Manila, as long as the website opens and the registration is open, you can come here. It is going to be a daily thing. You can take a walk while also being protected),” he said.

The soft opening of the nearly five-hectare New Manila Zoo, now known as the Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden, was held last Dec. 30.

The redeveloped Manila Zoo now has new facilities such as a museum, a restaurant, a veterinary hospital, new animal habitats, a coffee shop, and a new parking area.