(CNN Philippines) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 28) — President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the vaccination of the general public, including adolescents, against COVID-19 starting October, Malacañang confirmed on Tuesday.

“Ang good news po inaprubahan na po ni Presidente ang pagpapabakuna sa general population simula po ng buwan ng Oktubre,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque told a briefing.

[Translation: The good news is the President has already approved the vaccination of the general population starting October.]

With this development, Roque said that children can now be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, he did not specify the age range.

“Hinihikayat natin na magpa-masterlisting na po ang mga magulang ng mga kabataan para mapalistahan na sila pag nagsimula tayo,” he said.

[Translation: We are encouraging the parents to enlist their children in the masterlist so they will already have a slot once we started.]

Several local governments have already opened pre-registration for COVID-19 vaccination of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years old after regulatory approvals of emergency use of some vaccine brands for that age bracket.

Duterte on Monday said the government can use its police power to compel everyone to get vaccinated against COVID-19. He also warned government workers to get vaccinated or leave public service.