President Rodrigo Duterte ordered government workers to “use all available resources” during the vaccination drive from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1. He also directed soldiers and police to help deliver the vaccines, and even asked local officials to give fast-food treats to those who will get inoculated.

“I am authorizing all governors and mayors, just spend money. I will replace that someday,” Duterte said in remarks aired late Tuesday.

The Southeast Asian nation will have to increase its daily vaccinations by seven times to achieve its target for the three-day drive, with a current average of 691,800 doses per day. The Department of Health has said 160,000 volunteers are needed for the drive.

Duterte, who at one point threatened to send to jail those who refused to get vaccinated, said that those who continue to refuse should not be able to enter restaurants and hotels because they are a danger to public health.

The Philippines is the second country hardest hit by Covid-19 in Southeast Asia with 2,828,660 infected and 47,682 deaths.

mh/pll/msm/asg