The sixth mall-based vaccination center here opened at Gaisano Grand Mall on Monday as part of the city government’s effort to expedite the rollout of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines.

Starting this week, the newest inoculation hub, put up in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Negros Occidental-Bacolod Chapter, will operate every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the mall’s second floor, cinema area.

In a statement posted on Facebook, City Administrator Em Ang, concurrent executive director of the Emergency Operations Center-Task Force and coordinator of the Covid-19 Vaccination Council, said up to 300 individuals will be accommodated each day.

Ang said Mayor Evelio Leonardia seeks to continue the city government’s partnership with shopping malls and also invites more volunteers to accelerate the vaccination drive in Bacolod.

“Malls are a suitable vaccination site as they are spacious, accessible to public transportation, and strategically located,” she said.

Ang said that as more vaccine supply arrives, the city government will also open more vaccination sites.

“We are preparing the logistics, personnel, and scheduling of the vaccination recipients,” she added.

During the opening of the vaccination site at Gaisano Grand Mall, Ang was joined by PRC Negros Occidental-Bacolod Chapter chairman Carlos Ganihong and chapter administrator Rita Benita Mirasol as well as Gaisano Grand leasing manager Rhea Medina and area operations manager Chone Tan.

The city’s five other mall-based vaccination sites are located in SMX Convention Center at SM City Bacolod, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, Robinsons Place Bacolod, CityMall Goldenfield, and CityMall Mandalagan.

Being accommodated are priority sectors A1 (healthcare workers/front-liners), A2 (senior citizens), A3 (persons with comorbidities), and A5 (indigent population). (PNA)