Former Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said he is negotiating for Negros Occidental to be among the first provinces in the country to avail of COVID-19 vaccines by early next year.
Benitez, who turned 54 today, December 20, said his birthday wish is that the vaccines will arrive in the province in the first quarter of 2021.
The former representative of the third district of Negros Occidental is the provincial government consultant on economic affairs.
He already has an agreement with the national government for the purchase of the vaccines and they are trying to negotiate with US-based Moderna or Chinese biotech Sinovac for allocations, Benitez said.
“As soon as we get an allocation I’ll bring them to Negros,” he said, adding that the provincial and national governments will pay for the vaccines.
Benitez said the Sinovac vaccine is expected to be available earlier.
To allay doubts of the public about the Chinese vaccine he is willing to be the first to be vaccinated with it, he said.
The amount to be put out by the provincial government still has to be determined, we l have to sit down to discuss the details, he said.
Benitez said he is waiting for the figure from Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on the amount the provincial government can allocate for the purchase of the vaccines.
The purchase will be done through the national government, he said.
Benitez marked his birthday with an online Christmas party with leaders in the third district of Negros Occidental today, December 20.*