GPPB: OP drafting memo to authorize increase in advance payment for COVID-19 vaccines

The Office of the President is drafting a memorandum order that will authorize an increase in the advance payment for coronavirus vaccines, the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) said Thursday.

At a Senate hearing, GPPB Executive Director Rowena Ruiz said an issuance from President Rodrigo Duterte is needed to allow the government to make a 50% advance payment for vaccines against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Ruiz explained that under the Auditing Code and Memorandum Circular 172, Series of 2005, only a 15% advance payment is allowed.

Senator Sonny Angara noted that there was a need for an exception to allow an advance payment of 50%.

“That would therefore be covered by the issuance of the President… There’s already a draft memorandum order from the Office of the President authorizing an increase in the advance payment for the procurement of vaccines,” Ruiz responded.

Government agencies and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. also backed proposals to expedite local governments’ procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri introduced Senate Bill 2042, which seeks to fast-track the purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines by exempting local governments from provisions of the Government Procurement Reform Act. 

The Philippines is set to receive its first batch of vaccines from China’s Sinovac firm on February 23. 

The country has so far secured over 100 million doses. — RSJ, GMA News