SENATE President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto urges the Department of Health to consider using schools as additional vaccination sites not only to speed up the process, but also prevent possible overcrowding around designated vaccination spots.

Recto made the suggestion after learning the DOH, using 4,400 vaccination sites, is expected to finish inoculating 24.6 million individuals in 18 days.

According to the senator, the department could utilize schools which are currently not being used.

“So let me also point out, we are all doing these to save lives and livelihood so that we can open the economy,” Recto said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III agreed with the senator, admitting that the government would probably need more sites beyond what it had already identified, with schools possibly augmenting in this regard.

He added the vaccination process will be done in the context of a pandemic which means physical distancing and all minimum public health standards have to be considered.