PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved the vaccination of minors and the general population beginning next month, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Palace Spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte allowed the inoculation of the general population because the country “is receiving an ample supply of vaccines.”

“Inaprubahan na po ni Presidente ang pagbabakuna sa general population simula po ng buwan ng Oktubre. At magsisimula na rin po ang ating pagbabakuna ng ating mga kabataan. Inaasahan din po natin magsisimula tayo sa buwan ng Oktubre, aprubado na rin po iyan ng ating Presidente,” Roque said during a media briefing.

He urged parents to register their children.

“Meron po tayong sapat na supply. Ang pinaghahandaan natin ‘yung master listing pa lang naman. Kapag meron na po tayong masterlist, hintayin po natin ang anunsiyo kung sino’ng mauuna,” he said.

Several LGUs have launched online registration for adolescents in anticipation of the expansion of the government vaccination program to include children.

Last week, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. recommended the inoculation of minors aged 12 to 17 by mid-October.

Galvez said this move will also help reach the target pace of about 500,000 to 800,000 jabs per day which is needed to achieve herd immunity.

The Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines has allowed the emergency use of Pfizer’s and Moderna’s Covid19 vaccines for minors aged 12 to 17.