The local government of Manila is now ready to purchase P200 million worth of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines anytime they become available this year, after Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso signed on Thursday (Aug. 6) an ordinance appropriating the budget from the city's current funds.
The newly-signed Ordinance No. 8659 will allow the city to buy COVID-19 vaccines when they are on the market, after the city's treasurer certified that a P200 million fund "is already available and been set aside" for the remaining months of the year 2020.
Domagoso said this means the local government does not have to wait for the passage of the 2021 budget to procure COVID-19 vaccines.
Initially, the mayor said he asked Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna and members of the city council to appropriate and set aside P200 million from the 2021 budget.
However, Domagoso said, "It turns out that the Manila City government already has available funds…for the immediate procurement of COVID-19 vaccines should it become available this year."
"I want our city to have these COVID-19 vaccines, like how we are able to provide free COVID-19 mass testing—efficient, accessible, and free for all," he added.