Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Saturday, January 30, that he is meeting with the mayors of Negros Occidental via Zoom this week to discuss their purchase of COVID-19 vaccines on top of those to be provided by the national government to 70 percent of the country’s population.
Former Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, Negros Occidental consultant on economic affairs, said the Moderna and Novavax vaccines developed by American firms may arrive in the Philippines ahead of those of AstraZeneca, which could be delayed until the third quarter of this year because its initial supply has been cornered by the European Union.
Benitez said while the national government has promised to provide 70 percent of the country’s population with free vaccines, they are appealing to the national government to subsidize 100 percent of the municipalities’ needs.
The Sinovac vaccines purchased by the national government from China are likely to be the first to arrive in the country by the end of February and every month thereafter, he said.
The Negros Occidental provincial government and other provinces in Western Visayas are eyeing the purchase of Novavax vaccines to meet the needs of those not covered by the free supply from the national government, Benitez said.
Negros Occidental, Bacolod City, and several other local governments have also inked advance purchase agreements for AstraZeneca vaccines.
Iloilo Mayor Jerry Treñas informed him that AstraZeneca is asking for advance payments but there is a problem with the procurement law, Benitez said.
Benitez said concern has been raised whether or not vaccines are covered by Memorandum Circular No. 48 increasing the allowable amount of advance payment under Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
Department of Health Regional Director Emilia Monicimpo in response said the validity of RA 11469 already lapsed, making Memorandum Circular No. 48, which did not include vaccines, inoperative.
The advance payment scheme contemplated by Memorandum Circular 48 is ineffective unless an updated circular is issued on the matter, she said in a letter dated January 28.
Meanwhile, Benitez said the Johnson & Johnson vaccines are also in demand now because they only require one dose, unlike the other brands that require two doses per individual.
Janssen Pharmaceutica, the drug subsidiary of American conglomerate Johnson & Johnson, is recruiting 500 volunteers, who are 40 years old and above, in Bacolod City for the pivotal Phase 3 trials of its COVID-19 vaccine that will start next month, Bacolod Emergency Operations Center Executive Director Em Ang said earlier.*