Bataan earmarks P1B for COVID-19 vaccines

BALANGA CITY –– The Bataan government has allotted P1 billion for the purchase of vaccines against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and other pandemic-related expenses, an official here said on Monday.

The provincial government preferred the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which costs P3,904 to P4,504 for two doses per individual, said Bataan board member Reynaldo Ibe, chair of the committee on finance, appropriation, and ways and means.

In his Facebook page, Gov. Albert Garcia last week said he had met with Patrick Bergsted, senior vice president for commercial vaccines of Moderna Therapeutics Zuellig Pharma Corporation, and its representative, Janneth Jakosalem, for the vaccine procurement.

Garcia said he had also reached out to Sec. Carlito Galvez, vaccine czar, and officials of the Department of Health and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to discuss the province’s vaccination program.

In Limay town, Vice Mayor Richie Jayson David said the municipal council had approved P120 million for the vaccine purchase to benefit about 50,000 to 60,000 residents.

Mayor Efren Pascual Jr. of Orani town has also allocated P5 million for the COVID-19 vaccine that will prioritize front-liners.

In Bagac town, Mayor Rommel del Rosario said the local coffer could not afford to buy vaccines.

He said the provincial government might shoulder the expenses to vaccinate the residents there.

Pilar town Mayor Charlie Pizarro could not ascertain how much would be allocated for the vaccine, while Samal town has appropriated P5 million for its vaccine procurement.

Dinalupihan Mayor Gilar Garcia, president of Bataan mayors’ league, had met a group of mayors to discuss the creation of a task force for the Covid-19 vaccine procurement.

LZB