The Malabon City government has allotted a total of P200 million for the purchase of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccines to be administered to around 90,000 city residents.
Dr. Roberto Romero, Malabon City Health Department head, said the amount can secure enough vaccines to be distributed to up to 30 percent of Malabon's 366,000 population.
Malabon Mayor Antolin "Lenlen" Oreta III said priority will be given to health workers, residents working outside the city, senior citizens, students, and immunocompromised individuals in the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Our city doctors are ready to carry out the clinical task, in accordance with guidelines and directives of the DOH and other concerned national agencies,” he said in a statement issued on Thursday.
“We are committed to fully protect our constituents from further virus contractions thru this vaccination along with the national government,” he added.
Oreta said earlier that the funds will be sourced from the city's Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) and unused funds from the previous year.
He also said the city government does "not have enough funds for such an endeavor."
Several Metro Manila local government units have set aside budgets to procure their own supply of COVID-19 vaccines separate from the national government.
Health Spokesperson Ma. Rosario Vergeire told local government units to still coordinate with the national government to ensure the smooth procurement process of the vaccines.