MANILA, Philippines — Amid the looming possibility of an uptick in cases of COVID-19 following the holidays, as well as the threat of the new variant, the local government units in Metro Manila have ramped up their plans and preparations for their vaccine procurement and inoculation.
Here are some COVID-19 vaccine-related updates from different LGUs in the National Capital Region (NCR):
City of Manila
Last year, the city government of Manila launched an online portal where Manileños can sign up and pre-register for the planned free COVID-19 vaccine. Around P250 million will be used from the city’s 2021 budget to fund the free inoculation program for the residents of Manila.
According to Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, the local government had signed a nondisclosure agreement with COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers Pfizer and AstraZeneca.
Both vaccine brands have yet to receive approval or an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Makati City
Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Monday said that their city government allocated P1 billion for COVID-19 vaccine procurement. She also announced that the vaccines will be soon given for free to all citizens of Makati.
Similar to what Domagaso did in Manila, Binay also tasked her office to put up an online registration system for all Makatizens who want to avail of the free vaccine.
Pasig City
In a radio interview, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto stated that around P300 million from the city’s 2021 budget has been allotted for the procurement and purchase of COVID-19 vaccines.
According to the mayor, they will purchase will COVID-19 vaccine in addition to those that will be provided by the Department of Health to local government units
“Kung ilan po ang available sa market, kung ilan ang kaya ng budget natin, gagawin po natin. I assure everyone that we will be very transparent with our procurement process once may presyo na, kung ilan, anong brand,” Sotto said.
(We will procure whatever amount we can get from the market based on our budget. I assure everyone that we will be very transparent with our procurement process — the price, amount of vaccines to be purchased, and the vaccine brand.)
Quezon City
In December last year, the Quezon City government formed the “Task Force ‘Vax to Normal: The Quezon City COVID-19 Vaccine Plan” to manage the acquisition and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to its constituents.
According to Joseph Juico, co-chair of the city’s COVID-19 Task Force, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte is eyeing a P1 billion fund for vaccine procurement.
“We would like them to know that Quezon City government would be setting aside a budget for procurement to help the national government because I know it’s a daunting task,” Juico said in a television interview over ABS-CBN News.
“When I had a conversation with the mayor, she was thinking of around one billion pesos, but that will be spread out to also procure other items that will help supplement our vaccine initiatives such as the procurement of syringes, gloves, PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment), putting up of vaccine stations and so on,” he added.
JE
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