Several Metro mayors to allocate funds for COVID-19 vaccine

Several local government units in Metro Manila said they will set aside funds to purchase doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for their constituents.

According to Cedric Castillo’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, the Manila City government will allocate P250 million to buy vaccines once it receives the green light from the national government.

“I would rather go and invest again more with the safety of everyone here in Manila. ‘Yon man lamang ay makadagdag kami sa solusyon na gustong ma-achieve ng national government,” Mayor Isko Moreno said.

‘Pag dumaan ka sa Maynila pagpapasensyahan mo muna kami ‘pag nalubak-lubak ka nang kaunti ha? ‘Yong lubak-lubak matitiis natin ‘yon,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Quezon City government will allocate P1 billion from its 2021 budget for the vaccine.

“’Yong pondong inilaan po namin is just to reassure po ang people ng Quezon City kung sakaling hindi sapat ang ibibigay ng national government, mayroon pa rin po tayong pansalo para po sa kanila,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

“This is not just for the vaccine, marami kasing support, services and equipment that need to be procured as well in relation to the vaccine like storage facilities, syringes, gloves, etc.,” she added.

San Juan also prepared P50 million to add to the vaccination program of the national government.

“Kung sakali man na medyo kapusin ang pondo ng pamahalaang nasyunal, mabuting mayroon tayong standby fund,” Mayor Francis Zamora said.

Muntinlupa and Parañaque also allocated P100 million and P250 million, respectively, for the vaccine.

As of Friday, the Philippines has recorded a total of 447,039 cases of COVID-19, including 409,329 recoveries and 8,709 fatalities.—Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News