The Catholic Church reiterated its readiness to open churches as vaccination sites as more supplies of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines are expected to arrive in the coming months.

Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David made this remark following the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group’s (NITAG) proposal to tap churches as vaccination sites, saying its premises have good ventilation.

“We have already been a long-time partner of the Caloocan LGU (local government unit) in many endeavors, including the fight against the pandemic, and the vaccination program. We are always open to partnering with the government when it’s for the common good,” said David, who is also vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in a text message on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of CBCP-Permanent Committee on Public Affairs (PCPA) is convinced that allowing vaccination inside church facilities may boost public confidence.

“The CBCP has earlier offered church facilities for vaccination. It’s up to the LGUs to tell bishops or parish priests how it can be done. There ought to be coordination between them to iron out details for such a plan,” he said.

He said opening vaccination sites is the Church’s contribution to mass vaccination to ensure population protection. (PNA)