Duterte authorizes LGU advance payments for Covid-19 vaccines

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday authorized local government units (LGUs) to make advance payments for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines, Malacañang confirmed.

In a Palace statement, the President signed the memorandum order on exceeding the 15% limit on advanced payments for the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines. This means that LGUs can make advance payments of more than 15% of the Covid-19 vaccines’ total cost.

“The Palace confirms that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed today, February 18, 2021, the memorandum order on exceeding the fifteen percent limit on advanced payments for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and the certification of urgency of the bills establishing a vaccine indemnity fund,” the statement read.

“We are confident that both documents would ensure the timely and efficient implementation of the government’s COVID-19 mass vaccination program,” it added.

Malacañang has yet to provide signed copies of the order and the certification to the media. Earlier, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the memorandum order will allow a 50% limit for advanced payments for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines.

Senate Bill No. 2057 seeks to fast-track the purchase and rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and establish a P500-million indemnification fund.

Meanwhile, House Bill No. 8648 seeks to authorize LGUs to give advance payments for COVID-19 vaccines.

Certifying the bill as urgent allows Congress to pass the measure on second and third reading on the same day.

EDV