MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte authorized local government units (LGUs) to pay more than 15 percent of advance market commitments for the purchase of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines.
Yesterday, the President signed a memorandum order allowing such payments, a document that his vaccine czar and mayors asked for so they won’t be accused of flouting laws.
“We are confident that this would ensure the timely and efficient implementation of the government’s COVID-19 mass vaccination program,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
Under the Government Procurement Reform Act, Philippine authorities or agencies are not allowed to buy items that have yet to be produced without the President’s approval.
Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas, head of the League of Cities of the Philippines’ (LCP) committee on the availment of vaccines, welcomed the development.
“Thank you, President Duterte for granting LGUs the authority to purchase COVID-19 vaccines,” Treñas wrote on Facebook.
The mayor intends to purchase an initial 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine good for 300,000 residents.
On Tuesday, the 145-member LCP in Resolution No. 2021-01 asked the President to issue an executive order to “accelerate the local vaccination program.”
The House Ways and Means Committee earlier also approved a bill that would allow LGUs to import COVID-19 vaccines tax free.
Duterte also certified as urgent a House bill that seeks to allow local governments to buy coronavirus vaccines directly from manufacturers without public bidding.
Currently, LGUs that seek their own vaccine supply have to sign a tripartite deal with the shots’ manufacturer and the national government./PN
