Update: More cities have announced their plans on procuring COVID-19 vaccines
The race for the COVID-19 vaccine is officially on, and these local government units (LGUs) are doing their best to get their constituents immunized against the disease. Different LGUs from all over Metro Manila have started pre-registration or procurement programs for their citizens to get inoculated for free.
Here are the cities that have released these programs as of Jan. 4:
City of Manila
Manila mayor Isko Moreno announced that residents of Manila are now able to pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine online. For more information on how to register, here’s an explainer.
Pasig City
Pasig City mayor Vico Sotto has allotted P300 million for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines for the residents of Pasig City. The initial figure is still an estimate and is expected to change. This news was also delivered along with the promise of transparency in procuring the vaccines.
As of Jan. 11, it was announced that Pasig City has signed an agreement with British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to procure 400,000 doses worth P100 million of their COVID-19 vaccine.
Makati City
On Jan. 4, Makati mayor Abby Binay announced that the citizens of Makati will also be getting free COVID-19 vaccines. “This is our number one priority for 2021. I want each and every Makatizen to receive both doses of the coronavirus vaccine for free to protect them and their families against the virus,” said the mayor in a statement. “We are aiming for 100 percent vaccination in Makati,” she added. The pre-registration procedure is yet to be rolled out.
As of Jan. 11, Makati City announced that it has acquired one million doses of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine for all of its residents and non-resident stakeholders in the city.
San Juan City
Pre-registration for free COVID-19 vaccination is now available for San Juan City residents, as well. On Jan. 4, city mayor Francis Zamora announced that citizens can register for the vaccine online (via a QR code), through their respective health centers or their barangay halls. The city has allocated P50 million for the procurement of the vaccines.
Parañaque City
According to mayor Edwin Olivarez, the city of Parañaque is allocating P250 million, with an additional P1 billion on standby, for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccine. The mayor wants the city government to directly negotiate with Janssen Pharmaceutia, a Belgium-based pharmaceutical company, once their version of the vaccine has completed all clinical trials and is approved by the FDA.
More local governments disclose their plans on purchasing COVID-19 vaccines
Other LGUs are following suit in making plans to acquire COVID-19 vaccines for their constituents. Among the list of cities that have disclosed their plans are Caloocan, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Navotas and Valenzuela.
Cities like Baguio, Iloilo, Muntinlupa, Vigan and Valenzuela have also inked deals with AstraZeneca in procuring vaccines for their citizens.
As of Jan. 12, 23 LGUs have signed procurement deals with AstraZeneca.
Writer: ANDREIANA YUVALLOS
