The local government of Navotas will not force its residents to get vaccinated but Mayor Toby Tiangco will still encourage his constituents to sign up for free shots of Covid-19 jabs for their protection.

He also emphasized the need for front-liners and most vulnerable groups, particularly senior citizens, to be inoculated.

An additional 77 health workers were vaccinated on Friday, Tiangco reported.

“Hindi po sapilitan ang pagpapabakuna ngunit napakahalaga po nito upang lumiit ang tiyansang mahawaan ng Covid (Vaccination is not mandatory but it is very important to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection),” Tiangco posted on Facebook late Friday.

“Gusto po natin silang maprotektahan, at ang lahat ng ating mamamayan, mula sa banta ng nakamamatay na sakit (We want to protect them, and all our people, from the threat of a deadly disease),” he added.

Urging more residents to avail of the vaccination, Tiangco said it would be better for entire households to get vaccinated so they can assure everyone’s protection.

Tiangco reminded his constituents that free vaccines will only be given to those who will sign up.

“Paalala lang po na base sa guidelines ng Department of Health, ang hindi nakapagparehistro, hindi rin po mabibigyan ng libreng bakuna (Please note that based on Department of Health guidelines, those who do not register could not get the free vaccine),” he said.

Navotas has 682 active cases as of Friday, for a total of 7,004 confirmed cases. There were also 71 new recoveries while 216 have died. (PNA)