Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has assured assistance to Negros Occidental municipalities that cannot afford to buy COVID-19 vaccines after almost all cities in the province have already expressed intention to purchase their own supply.
Valladolid Mayor Enrique Miravalles, president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Negros Occidental, said that they can afford to spend only as much as P5 million for the vaccines.
If they can afford only as such, then we can find ways, Lacson said.
Still, the governor recommended to LMP-Negros Occidental that they should strongly suggest to vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez to let the national government take care of towns, not only to subsidize them, but provide a big percentage for free vaccines, especially for the fourth and fifth class municipalities.
The national government has set aside at least P75 billion for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines.
During a virtual meeting between the League of Cities of the Philippines and Galvez on Jan. 12, Lacson said it appeared that a lot of questions were raised by the city mayors, who were thinking that the national government will provide the vaccines.
The impression they got was the national government is encouraging local government units to take care of themselves, he added.
Lacson said that he will ask Galvez during the meeting with the League of Provinces of the Philippines what exactly is the role of national government, as far as vaccines is concerned.
“If they will supply us with free vaccines, how many percent of the population will be covered?” he asked.
The provincial government has already entered into a contract with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Philippines Inc. for the purchase of 100,000 doses of vaccine for 50,000 medical frontliners.
Lacson said that it was agreed by the Negros Occidental mayors that the negotiation for the purchase of the LGUs will be coursed through the provincial government.
“After the initial contract with AstraZeneca, we will ask if we can have another contract, this time for the requirements of LGUs, especially the cities,” he added. – GB
