E. Visayas, Tacloban City allocate funds to purchase COVID-19 vaccines

TACLOBAN CITY — The provincial government of Eastern Visayas, and the city of Tacloban have set aside substantial amounts to purchase coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines for their citizens.

Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone told reporters that his province will be allocating ₱500 million to buy the COVID-19 vaccines.

“We are preparing about ₱500 million for the vaccines, medicines, and other items to make sure that our people are protected from this virus,” he said.

He added that this would ensure that people in his province, from the urban areas down to the rural or hinterland areas, will have access to the vaccines.

The governor clarified that vaccination will be on voluntary basis, but all those willing to be immunized will be accommodated.

“But I would like to continue to appeal to our people to strictly observe health protocols before and after vaccinations,” Evardone said.

Meanwhile, Tacloban City Vice

Mayor Jerry Yaokasin also disclosed that his city has allocated funds amounting to ₱30 million for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.

Yaokasin said ₱7 million will be sourced out from the City Health Office (CHO), while ₱23 million will be taken from the public health emergency program of the Office of the City Mayor.

Biliran Governor Rogelio Espina also said his province was planning to procure COVID-19 vaccines.

Espina, however, cannot determine yet how much the province will allocate for the procurement of the vaccines.