BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – The provincial government has allocated P30 million budget for the purchase of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccines from a foreign pharmaceutical company.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson Jr. said he has inked a Non-disclosure Agreement with a private vaccine developer to ensure that the province will have the supply of the vaccine this year.
Lacson, however, did not give further details on the procurement of the vaccines.
He said the allocation for the purchase of the vaccine may not be enough for the whole province so they still need a budget from the national government.
Lacson has also encouraged the local government units (LGUs) to allocate a budget for the procurement of vaccines.
Once the vaccine has arrived in the province, the medical frontliners will be the topmost priority.
The P30 million fund will be taken from the budget of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
Meanwhile, former congressman Alfredo Benitez, who is now the provincial consultant on economic affairs, was tasked to lead the procurement efforts.
Benitez has negotiated with foreign pharmaceutical companies to make Negros Occidental be among the first provinces in the country to avail the Covid-19 vaccines.
