DILG reminds LGUs to coordinate with NTF, DOH plans to procure COVID vaccines

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday reminded local government units to coordinate with the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) and the Department of Health (DOH) regarding plans to purchase COVID-19 vaccines for their constituents.

In a statement, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said the procurement and roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines must be coordinated with the national government in a tripartite agreement involving localities and pharmaceutical companies.

"We thank the LGUs for augmenting the efforts of the National Government. We are on track to purchase some 184 million doses from several manufacturers and the procurement by LGUs will be a big help to inoculate more people,” Año said.

He said President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the tripartite approach in LGU procurement.

"We will follow this system to ensure that all involved parties are on the same page. So all LGUs who are planning vaccine procurement must coordinate with vaccine czar Charlie Galvez,” Año said.

The DILG chief said LGUs can do initial negotiations with pharmaceutical companies but the agreement must be tripartite.

The setup will also guarantee that the prices of COVID-19 vaccines are standardized and that there will be no duplication of vaccinated individuals, according to Año.

“Ang magiging procurer o mag-aangkat nitong COVID-19 vaccine ay national government pa rin para namomonitor pa din ng DOH. Maglilead pa din ang DOH sa lahat ng ginagawang acquisition maging sa national government kasi karamihan sa makukuhang bakuna ay hindi lamang isa ang kinakailangan,” he said.

Año pointed out that the DOH’s role in monitoring the procurement process would be vital to ensure that the standards and protocols are being followed.

Various LGUs have already announced plans to procure COVID-19 vaccines for their residents. A huge amount of the localities' funds were also allotted for the purchase of vaccines. —KBK, GMA News