The Philippine president Rodrigo&nbsp;Duterte&nbsp;has ordered the military and police units to airlift COVID-19 vaccines throughout the country's provinces in order to bypass "gridlocks" in jab distribution.

Only about 35 per cent of adults in the country have received both jabs, compared with nearly 90 per cent of adults in the capital region.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-eases-virus-lockdown-in-capital-to-spur-economy-despite-who-warning-413072">Philippines eases virus lockdown in capital to spur economy despite WHO warning</a>

The Philippine president blames these&nbsp;"gridlocks" on the&nbsp;local authorities.

During his meeting with pandemic advisers on Tuesday, Duterte said, "(Supplies) will no longer pass through the provincial government because that would be another gridlock."

Duterte has relied heavily on armed services to help combat the pandemic. Armed forces in the Philippines enforced one of the world's toughest lockdowns and transported medical supplies all over the country and abroad.&nbsp;

"Upon delivery by plane and arrival at the (vaccine operations centre), the helicopters there will take over. They would be the ones to take them to the municipal governments," the president said.

"The armed forces have the lift capability," military spokesman Colonel Ramon Zagala said on Wednesday.

According to Francisco Duque, the country's health secretary, cases of Coronavirus are on the decline throughout the country.

Watch |&nbsp;Philippines president threatens to jail those who refuse COVID-19 vaccine

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In October, as part of easing pandemic restrictions, the government opened cinemas and gyms in the capital and allowed larger seating capacities in restaurants and on public transportation.

12.7 million young people between the ages of 12-17 received vaccines on Wednesday.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the military and police units to airlift COVID-19 vaccines throughout the country's provinces in order to bypass "gridlocks" in jab distribution.

The Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the military and police units to airlift COVID-19 vaccines throughout the country's provinces in order to bypass "gridlocks" in jab distribution. Only about 35 per cent of adults in the country have received both jabs, compared with nearly 90 per cent of adults in the capital region. Also read | Philippines eases virus lockdown in capital to spur economy despite WHO warning The Philippine president blames these "gridlocks" on the local authorities. During his meeting with pandemic advisers on Tuesday, Duterte said, "(Supplies) will no longer pass through the provincial government because that would be another gridlock." Duterte has relied heavily on armed services to help combat the pandemic. Armed forces in the Philippines enforced one of the world's toughest lockdowns and transported medical supplies all over the country and abroad. "Upon delivery by plane and arrival at the (vaccine operations centre), the helicopters there will take over. They would be the ones to take them to the municipal governments," the president said. "The armed forces have the lift capability," military spokesman Colonel Ramon Zagala said on Wednesday. According to Francisco Duque, the country's health secretary, cases of Coronavirus are on the decline throughout the country. Watch | Philippines president threatens to jail those who refuse COVID-19 vaccine In October, as part of easing pandemic restrictions, the government opened cinemas and gyms in the capital and allowed larger seating capacities in restaurants and on public transportation. 12.7 million young people between the ages of 12-17 received vaccines on Wednesday. (With inputs from agencies)

Philippines president orders military to bypass 'gridlocks' in vaccine distribution

In the sweltering heat and humidity, 31-year-old Caitlyn Tojanes grumbles about having to wear a face shield over her mask as she waits in line for her bus in the Philippine capital Manila.

"It's uncomfortable. Combined with the long queues it means we get to work already tired and bathed in sweat," said Tojanes, whose commute involves three buses and takes several hours.

But she is resigned to the new normal in the Philippines, where it is now compulsory to wear both masks and plastic shields in indoor public spaces and on public transport to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

"With Covid, it's up to the people to maintain discipline," said Tojanes, who works as a store manager in the sprawling capital of 12 million where most of the country's infections have been recorded.

"People should not put the entire burden on the government. We must practise self-discipline."

The latest measure comes as the country struggles to contain the virus outbreak, recording the highest number of confirmed cases in Southeast Asia with more than 283,000 infections and over 4,900 deaths.

Six months after tough restrictions were introduced to curb the contagion -- including stay-at-home orders, travel bans and no talking on buses and trains -- infections are still rising by several thousand every day.

Some measures have been eased to help kickstart the devastated economy.

"It's a big adjustment having to wear a mask and a face shield and having to wash your hands with alcohol each time you touch something," said Jeff Langurayan, 31, his voice slightly muffled by the layers of material and plastic over his face.

But he accepts the need for precautions.

"A lot of people have died and you do not know what will hit you and what effect it would have on your body."

In the sweltering heat and humidity, 31-year-old Caitlyn Tojanes grumbles about having to wear a face shield over her mask as she waits in line for her bus in the Philippine capital Manila.

In the sweltering heat and humidity, 31-year-old Caitlyn Tojanes grumbles about having to wear a face shield over her mask as she waits in line for her bus in the Philippine capital Manila. "It's uncomfortable. Combined with the long queues it means we get to work already tired and bathed in sweat," said Tojanes, whose commute involves three buses and takes several hours. But she is resigned to the new normal in the Philippines, where it is now compulsory to wear both masks and plastic shields in indoor public spaces and on public transport to curb the spread of the coronavirus. "With Covid, it's up to the people to maintain discipline," said Tojanes, who works as a store manager in the sprawling capital of 12 million where most of the country's infections have been recorded. "People should not put the entire burden on the government. We must practise self-discipline." The latest measure comes as the country struggles to contain the virus outbreak, recording the highest number of confirmed cases in Southeast Asia with more than 283,000 infections and over 4,900 deaths. Six months after tough restrictions were introduced to curb the contagion -- including stay-at-home orders, travel bans and no talking on buses and trains -- infections are still rising by several thousand every day. Some measures have been eased to help kickstart the devastated economy. "It's a big adjustment having to wear a mask and a face shield and having to wash your hands with alcohol each time you touch something," said Jeff Langurayan, 31, his voice slightly muffled by the layers of material and plastic over his face. But he accepts the need for precautions. "A lot of people have died and you do not know what will hit you and what effect it would have on your body."

Strict mask, visor rules make Philippine commuters sweat

With coronavirus cases on the rise in the Philippines, many people, especially customer-facing workers, are arming themselves with masks and disinfectant sprays to combat the deadly virus.

What's in your bag? A peek into coronavirus preparations of Filipinos

Philippine President Rodrigo&nbsp;Duterte&nbsp;has threatened a martial law-like crackdown to stop people flouting a virus lockdown in the nation's capital.

Duterte&nbsp;spoke a day after authorities reported an upsurge of cars on Manila's roads, which have been nearly deserted since a sweeping lockdown was imposed a month ago on about half the country's 110 million people.

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"I'm just asking for a little discipline. If not, if you do not believe me, then the military and police will take over,"&nbsp;Duterte&nbsp;said in a televised speech late Thursday.

"The military and police will enforce social distancing at curfew... It's like martial law. You choose," he added.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hand-holding-in-coronavirus-pandemic-wealth-managers-grapple-with-new-reality-293048" hreflang="en">Hand-holding in coronavirus pandemic: Wealth managers grapple with new reality</a>

Duterte&nbsp;has repeatedly threatened to impose nationwide military rule over the Philippines, where the mere words evoke the worst rights abuses of the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship.

The closest&nbsp;Duterte&nbsp;has come is the imposition of martial law over Mindanao, the nation's southern third, in response to Islamic State-inspired militants' siege of the city of Marawi.

As reported cases of the new coronavirus started to climb in March,&nbsp;Duterte&nbsp;ordered a&nbsp;quarantine of the main northern island of Luzon, which includes the capital's 12 million people.

Only essential workers and people buying food or medicine are officially allowed outside their homes, yet many others have flouted the rules.

In some places, impoverished day labourers have no choice but to go out looking for work, though police have also reported breaking up social events like amateur boxing matches.

Police said they have warned or arrested tens of thousands of people caught outside their homes without valid reasons.

The Philippines has detected some 5,660&nbsp;coronavirus cases, and recorded 362 deaths, but those figures are expected to climb as the nation ramps up testing.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened a martial law-like crackdown to stop people flouting a virus lockdown in the nation's capital. Duterte spoke a day after authorities reported an upsurge of cars on Manila's roads, which have been nearly deserted since a sweeping lockdown was imposed a month ago on about half the country's 110 million people.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened a martial law-like crackdown to stop people flouting a virus lockdown in the nation's capital. Duterte spoke a day after authorities reported an upsurge of cars on Manila's roads, which have been nearly deserted since a sweeping lockdown was imposed a month ago on about half the country's 110 million people. Also read: COVID-19 patients recovering quickly after getting remdesivir, an experimental drug "I'm just asking for a little discipline. If not, if you do not believe me, then the military and police will take over," Duterte said in a televised speech late Thursday. "The military and police will enforce social distancing at curfew... It's like martial law. You choose," he added. Also read: Hand-holding in coronavirus pandemic: Wealth managers grapple with new reality Duterte has repeatedly threatened to impose nationwide military rule over the Philippines, where the mere words evoke the worst rights abuses of the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship. The closest Duterte has come is the imposition of martial law over Mindanao, the nation's southern third, in response to Islamic State-inspired militants' siege of the city of Marawi. As reported cases of the new coronavirus started to climb in March, Duterte ordered a quarantine of the main northern island of Luzon, which includes the capital's 12 million people. Only essential workers and people buying food or medicine are officially allowed outside their homes, yet many others have flouted the rules. In some places, impoverished day labourers have no choice but to go out looking for work, though police have also reported breaking up social events like amateur boxing matches. Police said they have warned or arrested tens of thousands of people caught outside their homes without valid reasons. The Philippines has detected some 5,660 coronavirus cases, and recorded 362 deaths, but those figures are expected to climb as the nation ramps up testing.

Philippines' Duterte threatens martial law-like virus crackdown