Manila ready to procure vaccine – Isko

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has signed an ordinance appropriating P200 million for the immediate procurement of COVID-19 vaccines for all city residents should it become available this year.

According to Moreno, this means the Manila city government is able to immediately procure vaccines should one become available and approved by proper health authorities.

The mayor signed Ordinance No. 8659 after Manila City Treasurer Jasmine Talegon certified that “such fund is already available and has been set aside” for the remaining months of the year 2020.

This means the Manila City government does not have to wait for the passage of the 2021 budget to procure COVID-19 vaccines.

Moreno earlier announced that he has asked Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and members of the Manila City Council to appropriate and set aside P200 million for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines in the 2021 budget.

“It turns out that the Manila City government already has available funds worth P200 million for the immediate procurement of COVID-19 vaccines should it become available this year,” Moreno said.

“I want our city to have these COVID-19 vaccines, like how we are able to provide free COVID-19 mass testing – efficient, accessible and free for all,” he said.