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Executive Branch lauds LGUs on vaccines; Legazpi City allots P200 million

Writer's picture: Melo AcunaMelo Acuna

LGUs will need to coordinate with National Task Force to buy vaccines


MANILA – Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque said local government units need to coordinate with the National Task Force on Vaccine Procurement before they could purchase their requirements.


Speaking at the midday press briefing, Secretary Roque said purchases will need coordination with the National Task Force (NTF) and the Department of Health (DOH) to formulate a tripartite agreement involving local governments and pharmaceutical companies.


Earlier in the day, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) quoted Secretary Eduardo M. Año saying the local government units’ appropriation of funds for COVID-19 vaccines is laudable but underscored the need to observe the appropriate procedures to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure standardized pricing.


The main purchaser of the vaccine for the country because the national government will take the lead in ensuring the necessary monitoring and proper allocation, through the Department of Health will be the standard.


“We thank the LGUs for augmenting the efforts of the National Government. We are on track to purchase some 184 million doses from several manufacturers and the procurement by the LGUs will be a big help to inoculate more people,” he said.


Secretary Año said President Duterte approved the tripartite approach in LGU procurement and will simply follow the system to assure everyone are on the same page.


He clarified initial negotiations may be made by the concerned LGUs but the agreement must be tripartite among the national government, the pharmaceutical company and the local government.


“This will ensure that the standards set by the IATF, WHO, and the DOH are met,” he explained. With this set-up the prices of COVID-19 vaccines will be standardized abd there will be no duplication of vaccinated individuals.


COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and AstraZeneca require two doses to ensure the highest percentage of immunization. The effects of these vaccines need to be recorded for further reference.


Over in Legazpi City, the city government has already appropriated P200 million to purchase the needed COVID-19 vaccine. The Sangguniang Panlungsod approved the budget in a statement released late Thursday morning.


Earlier, Mayor Noel Ebriega Rosal was cited or his initiatives and best practices on the promotion of the campaign to keep COVID-19 effects at bay.


In a letter from the Department of Interior and Local Government, the city executive was named “Ambassador of the BIDA ang may Disiplina: Solusyon sa Covid-19” along other local government officials from governors to city and town mayors. Among those recognized for outstanding efforts were Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua of Quirino Province, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso. (Melo M. Acuña)

Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque (Screen grab from PTV4 Press Briefing/January 7,2021) and Legazpi City Mayor Noel Ebriega Rosal (File Photo/Melo M. Acuna)


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