BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental have earmarked varying amounts to fund the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination of their constituents.
Some of the cities and towns will administer the vaccines for free to all residents, while others will prioritize sectors according to the recommendation of the World Health Organization.
In San Carlos, the city government set aside P20 million for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines to immunize 60,000 of its residents.
Mayor Renato Gustilo said he is joining Gov. Eugenio Lacson in purchasing the vaccines.
Last week, the provincial government sealed a deal with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Philippines Inc. for the purchase of 100,000 doses of AZD1222 Vaccine projected to arrive in the second quarter this year.
With COVID-19 vaccines in sight, Gustilo still urged residents to follow health protocols. He cited the city’s declining number of active COVID-19 cases with only 24 as of Monday.
The LGU of Don Salvador Benedicto, meanwhile, earmarked P30 million to vaccinate at least 20,000 residents.
The towns of E.B. Magalona, Toboso, and Hinoba-an also announced their intentions to purchase COVID-19 vaccines.
E.B. Magalona set aside P20 million, Toboso, P16 million, and Hinoba-an, P10 million.
Lacson, for his part, encouraged the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Negros Occidental Chapter to convince the country’s vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito Galvez, to provide a huge percentage of free COVID-19 vaccines for the province’s 4th and 5th class municipalities.
Negros Occidental is comprised of 19 municipalities and 12 cities.
As of Jan. 18, the province’s cumulative cases of COVID-19 hit 6,528 since recording started in March last year.
But with 6,201 cases having recovered and 178 death, the metro’s active cases currently stand at 146./PN
