TACLOBAN CITY- Mayor Alfred Romualdez of this city clarified that they have not yet allocated for any procurement of anti-COVID vaccines.
The city mayor said, however, that they could easily release P30 million as support services for the vaccination campaign.
Romualdez issued this clarification amid report that the city government of Tacloban has set aside P30 million for the procurement of the vaccines.
“We don’t really have a specified amount yet, but our goal is to vaccinate all that needs to be vaccinated pursuant to the vaccination plan of the Department of Health (DOH). The P30 million is primarily for support services for the vaccination drive,” the city mayor said in a statement.
“Rest assured that funds are available from different sources such as the calamity fund and economic development fund but we are still waiting for the guidance from the national government and DOH as to the kind and availability of the vaccine,” Romualdez added.
The city mayor said that they would know the exact amount once they gathered all needed information related to the purpose.
Meantime, while the vaccine is not yet available in the city and the rest of the country, Mayor Romualdez asked the people to strictly follow all the health protocols so as not to further spread the deadly virus.
Although, local government units can allocate funds for COVID-19 vaccine, they have to inform first the office of vaccine czar, Carlito Galvez, before they can arrange for the procurement of the vaccines.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
