Mayors’ league lauds memo to fast-track vaccine procurement

MANILA, Philippines — City mayors in the country welcomed the newly signed memorandum that allows local government units (LGUs) to make advance payments exceeding the limits set in the procurement rules for the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines.

The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), headed by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, said they could now breathe a sigh of relief after President Duterte signed Memorandum Order 51 to allow LGUs to procure COVID-19 vaccines and make advance payments exceeding 15 percent of the contract amount.

“This directly impacts cities that have earlier signed agreements with the national government and AstraZeneca. More importantly, it will benefit all LGUs as it will accelerate the implementation of our local vaccination programs,” Leonardia said in a statement.

Earlier, the LCP passed a resolution appealing to the Office of the President to intervene and allow mayors to make advance payments for vaccines contracted by city LGUs.

Several local governments have already signed tripartite agreements with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.

Under the memo, LGUs were allowed to make advance payments exceeding the limit as long as these are authorized by COVID-19 response chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez.

It also said the payment should be subject to criteria and limits established by the National Task Force, Department of Health and by applicable laws and regulations.

Meanwhile, all of the military’s land, sea and air assets are now being readied for deployment, transfer and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines even to the farthest and most remote areas of the country.

Personnel of the various medical units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are also preparing to perform their roles once the vaccines arrive.

“We are always ready to assist. We have the mobility and personnel ready for the task. Once the instructions are given, we can speedily order units to respond at a moment’s notice,” Philippine Army spokesman Col. Ramon Zagala told The STAR yesterday.

While there are no specific discussions yet on the role of the Army or military hospitals, Zagala said “we can have our hospitals available should they require.”

The Philippine Navy is also readying its sea assets, including the BRP Davao del Sur which has its own cold storage facility, said naval chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo.

Its other vessels, like fast boats, can also be tapped to carry vaccines from one area or island to another, especially in the provinces. 

The Philippine Air Force is also ready to make use of its aircraft, including brand new Blackhawk helicopters, to help transport the vaccines to the remotest locations. – Michael Punongbayan, Gilbert Bayoran