More cities in Negros Occidental are also set to allocate millions of pesos for the purchase of vaccines to protect their citizens from COVID-19, their mayors said today, January 8.
Earlier, Negros Occidental and Bacolod City announced their entering into contracts for the advance purchase of COVID-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Philippines.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he is also urging local government units to allocate funds for the purchase of vaccines for their constituents.
Mayor Alfredo Marañon III said Sagay City has allotted P40 million for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines, while Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson Jr. said Himamaylan City has earmarked an initial P1 million.
Cadiz City can allocate up to P80 million for the vaccines or more if needed, Mayor Salvador Escalante said. It will all depend on the price and the number of vaccines that will also be provided by the national government, Escalante said.
Mayor Neil Lizares said Talisay City is allocating funds for the purchase of vaccines for teachers and senior citizens
Mayors Pedro Zayco of Kabankalan City, Nicholas Yulo of Bago City, and Rex Jalando-on of La Carlota City said they have the funds to purchase vaccines but are waiting for a meeting with Secretary Carlito Galvez, the country’s vaccine czar, on January 12.
Silay Mayor Mark Golez said he is still studying the purchase of vaccines, while Victorias Mayor Francis Palanca said they will wait for former Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to bring the vaccines next month.
Lacson, who is signing an advance purchase contract for COVID-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca tomorrow, said it will then be forwarded to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for ratification.
The vaccines will be allotted for Negros Occidental’s frontliners, Lacson said.
It is not clear yet if the national government will provide vaccines for all Filipinos, he said.
What is important is Negros Occidental has been included among those who have signified their interest to buy the vaccines, he said.
He reiterated that the provincial government can include the request of privates groups and businesses to purchase vaccines in the next round of negotiations.
Lacson said COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental were down to 93 as of Thursday, January 7.
However, he reiterated the need for Negrenses not to let their guard down and to continue practicing basic health protocols against the virus.
Lacson stressed the need to be extra careful especially with the threat of a new COVID-19 strain that is more contagious.*