Manila advances P38M for vaccine
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso has already issued a cheque amounting to P38.4 million to British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca as 20 percent advance payment for 800,000 doses of the vaccine against the coronavirus disease (Covid 19) that initially will be inoculated to some 400,000 individuals.
The AstraZeneca vaccine requires two doses per person from the initial order, which would be distributed to a fraction of Manila’s population.
“Fortunately, the national government allowed local government units (LGU) to fast-track the procurement process, and I am thankful for that,” Domagoso said.
As per the government procurement act, only a maximum of 15 percent of the cost of government projects is allowed as advance payment. However, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado called for the easing of this limitation this month.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed a memorandum order increasing the limit for advance payments for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines.
“The vaccine is coming, but that is no reason for us to be complacent. Let’s continue practicing the health protocols as advised by the DoH (Department of Health) and let’s keep refining our mass vaccination simulation exercises,” Domagoso stressed.
Last month, the Manila LGU was the first to enter into a tripartite agreement with AstraZeneca and the National Task Force against Covid-19. Some 300 companies and over 30 other LGU from across the country also signed the agreement.
The vaccine is coming, but that is no reason for us to be complacent.