SAN JOSE, Antique – The provincial government of Antique allocated P10 million for the purchase of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines.
Antique’s provincial planning and development officer, Juliana Cepe, said Gov. Rhodora Cadiao requested the inclusion of the P10 million for the vaccines in the 2021 annual budget.
Appropriation for the vaccines was included particularly in the 20-percent development fund under the social development sector of the Annual Investment Plan (AIP), which is the list of projects for implementation using the proposed 2021 budget.
“We will be submitting the 2021 Annual Budget in the total amount of P2.178 billion this week for the review and approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM),” Cepe aid.
The 2021 budget and its accompanying AIP was approved by the Provincial Board before the end of December 2020, but will have to be reviewed and approved by the DBM before its implementation.
“Antique is under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ, low-risk) so we might be the least of priorities by the national government when the vaccine becomes available,” Cadiao said.
The priorities for vaccination will be the health workers and senior citizens.
“The vaccination, however, will be free and voluntary for those who want to be vaccinated,” Cadiao said. (PNA/PN)
