(L-R: DILG Usec. Epimaco Densing, DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez, RRHI President and CEO Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro, RRHI Drugstores Group Gen. Manager Christine Tueres)

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez also came to support the pilot activity. In his message, Sec. Lopez emphasized the importance of vaccination to ensure that businesses and livelihood of Filipinos will continue despite the pandemic. “COVID-19 is indeed a challenge we all collectively face and true to Southstar Drug’s tagline - We Care a Little More – we are glad to be part of the solution through this initiative,” said Robina Gokongwei-Pe, President and CEO of Robinsons Retail Group which operates over 3,000 drugstores including Southstar Drug.

Southstar Drug immunizing pharmacist administering a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot

For the pilot vaccination, the drugstore chain administered booster shots to 172 vaccinees who registered directly via Southstar Drug or through the City Health Center. The program is open to individuals 18 years old and above, except for senior citizens and those with comorbidities from A1, A4, and A5 priority groups. Resbakuna sa Botika is spearheaded by the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) in partnership with the country’s biggest drugstore and clinic networks to get as many Filipinos vaccinated all over the country.