More local government units in Negros Occidental heeded the call of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to allocate funds for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines for their constituents.
The provincial government of Negros Occidental entered into a contract with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Philippines Inc. for the purchase of 100,000 doses of vaccines for 50,000 people, Lacson said.
“If this works well, we have to ask for another batch, which may include other LGUs, or even requests for the private sector”, he added.
The cities of Himamaylan, Sagay, Cadiz and Talisay already signified their intention to procure vaccines, with funds ranging from P1 million to as high as P80 million.
Lacson will also hold a meeting with Negros Occidental mayors today with the agenda focusing on the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines, relocation of Capitol building to Talisay City, and the possibility of opening up the borders with Negros Oriental.
The provincial government of Negros Occidental allocated P30 million for vaccines purchase while the Bacolod City government earmarked P300 million for a similar purpose.
The League of Cities of the Philippines headed by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia held a virtual meeting yesterday with vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, and Food and Drug Administration Director General Rolando Enrique Domingo for the plans of its members to purchase the vaccines.
Meanwhile, noting also a spike in the number of COVID-19 active cases from 93 last week to 104 this week, Lacson said he is not yet inclined to open the borders with Negros Oriental.
“It will be difficult to monitor incoming passengers from Oriental and other provinces passing through the Oriental side,” he said.
Lacson added that he will still get the opinion of the local chief executives and that of Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang if it is possible to open up borders with Negros Oriental.
The moratorium on the return of locally-stranded individuals to various towns and cities in Negros Occidental ended Jan. 5, except for San Carlos City, which will end Jan. 27. – GB
