MANILA, Philippines — Amid the looming possibility of an uptick in cases of COVID-19 following the holidays, as well as the threat of the new variant, the local government units in Metro Manila have ramped up their plans and preparations for their vaccine procurement and inoculation.
Here are some COVID-19 vaccine-related updates from different LGUs in the National Capital Region (NCR):
City of Manila
Last year, the city government of Manila launched an online portal where Manileños can sign up and pre-register for the planned free COVID-19 vaccine. Around P250 million will be used from the city’s 2021 budget to fund the free inoculation program for the residents of Manila.
According to Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, the local government had signed a nondisclosure agreement with COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers Pfizer and AstraZeneca.
Both vaccine brands have yet to receive approval or an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Makati City
Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Monday said that their city government allocated P1 billion for COVID-19 vaccine procurement. She also announced that the vaccines will be soon given for free to all citizens of Makati.
Similar to what Domagaso did in Manila, Binay also tasked her office to put up an online registration system for all Makatizens who want to avail of the free vaccine.
Pasig City
In a radio interview, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto stated that around P300 million from the city’s 2021 budget has been allotted for the procurement and purchase of COVID-19 vaccines.
According to the mayor, they will purchase will COVID-19 vaccine in addition to those that will be provided by the Department of Health to local government units
“Kung ilan po ang available sa market, kung ilan ang kaya ng budget natin, gagawin po natin. I assure everyone that we will be very transparent with our procurement process once may presyo na, kung ilan, anong brand,” Sotto said.
(We will procure whatever amount we can get from the market based on our budget. I assure everyone that we will be very transparent with our procurement process — the price, amount of vaccines to be purchased, and the vaccine brand.)
Quezon City
In December last year, the Quezon City government formed the “Task Force ‘Vax to Normal: The Quezon City COVID-19 Vaccine Plan” to manage the acquisition and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to its constituents.
According to Joseph Juico, co-chair of the city’s COVID-19 Task Force, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte is eyeing a P1 billion fund for vaccine procurement.
“We would like them to know that Quezon City government would be setting aside a budget for procurement to help the national government because I know it’s a daunting task,” Juico said in a television interview over ABS-CBN News.
“When I had a conversation with the mayor, she was thinking of around one billion pesos, but that will be spread out to also procure other items that will help supplement our vaccine initiatives such as the procurement of syringes, gloves, PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment), putting up of vaccine stations and so on,” he added.
The city council on December 5 approved the resolution which authorizes Belmonte to enter into a tripartite agreement with the National Task Force Against COVID-19 and AzraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Philippines for the advance purchase of the vaccine.
According to the city government, among those who will be prioritized for the inoculation are 10,000 health workers, 300,000 senior citizens, 20,000 adult persons with disabilities, and other priority sectors recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
San Juan City
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora has likewise announced that residents in their locality can now register online for free COVID-19 vaccine jabs. He added that residents can also pre-register in their respective barangay halls or health centers.
According to Zamora, the city government, through a signed ordinance, allocated some P50 million for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.
Caloocan City
Mayor Oca Malapitan shared that they have prepared P125 million to fund the COVID-19 vaccines for the residents of Caloocan City. He added that the city government is also planning for an additional P1 billion budget for their inoculation program.
Parañaque City
The local government of Parañaque is aiming to inoculate at least 300,000 residents with the COVID-19 vaccine this year, according to Mayor Edwin Olivarez.
Olivarez stated that the city has set aside a P250 million budget for the procurement of vaccines. They also eye the allocation of an additional P1 billion “stand-by” budget which they aim to loan from the Landbank of the Philippines.
Mandaluyong City
Mayor Mechie Abalos also announced that the city government has earmarked P200 million budget for the vaccines.
“Pipilitin namin, sa abot ng aming makakaya at sa pakikipagtulungan ng bawat isa, na mabakunahan ang bawat Mandaleño,” Abalos said on Monday during a meeting with the city’s COVID-19 cluster committee members.
(With the cooperation of everyone, we will do our best to inoculate every Mandaleño.)
Valenzuela City
In Valenzuela, Mayor Rex Gatchalian said that the city’s government allotted P150 million to purchase COVID-19 vaccines for its residents.
Marikina City
Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said that a P82.7 million budget was approved last November to procure and purchase COVID-19 vaccines.
Navotas City
The city government of Navotas, according to Mayor Toby Tiangco, will set aside P20 million to acquire vaccines. He added that there may still be additional funding depending on the needs of its constituents.
Taguig City
A P1 billion fund was allocated in Taguig City to purchase COVID-19 vaccines which can be used to conduct free vaccination for the city’s residents.
“Included in the recovery budget is P1 billion for their vaccine roll out plan, where they want to ensure every citizen has access to the free COVID-19 vaccine,” Taguig Public Information Office said in a statement.
Pasay City
Pasay City also declared that it will offer free jabs of COVID-19 vaccine after the city government allotted P250 million for vaccine procurement.
Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano said the city aims to inoculate approximately 275,000 persons.