Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara on Friday said several local chief executives were concerned that lawmakers were not able to immediately pass the proposed law that would expedite their procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.

"When we didn't pass it last Wednesday, I got calls fro a lot of nervous mayors and governors who said, 'Paano 'to, 'yong bayaran namin sa AstraZeneca sa Feb. 24 na (What should we do, we were supposed to pay AstraZeneca on Feb. 24)'," Angara said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel, February 19.

"Sabi ko tawagan mo 'yong mga senador para alam nila 'yan, kasi pwede kong sabihin sa kanila 'yan pero iba 'pag sinabi mo sa kanila (I told them to also relay their concerns to the other senators, because I can tell them that, but it will be different if it comes from you)...They will realize the importance not just you but also your citizens and everyone who is looking forward to getting vaccinated," he added.

The Senate finance committee chairman is the sponsor of the Senate Bill No. 2057, or the proposed COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act, which seeks to relax existing rules for the local govenrment units' (LGU) purchase of coronavirus vaccines.

Senators have started plenary discussions on the measures last Wednesday and will resume on Monday, February 22. Leaders of the Upper Chamber are hoping to pass the bill on second and third reading on the same day, since President Duterte has already certified it as an urgent measure.

Under the bill, LGUs  will be allowed to make advanced payments for the procurement off the COVID-19 vaccines, an exemption from the prohibition of the Local Government Code of 1991. They will also be allowed to purchase vaccines and other necessary supplies and services through negotiated procurement under emergency cases under the country's procurement law.

"This bill will provide legal cover to the LGUs, many of which were intimitaed to us their concerns about possible adverse findings by the Commission on Audit and even graft cases that may be filed against their officials," Angara said in a separate statement.

He cited a survey conducted by the League of Provinces of the Philippines showing that 70 LGUs are prepared to spend P13 billion to purchase and administer the COVID-19 vaccines.

During the Senate's plenary debates, senators learned that a number of local governments have already perfected supply agreements with vaccine makers. No down payments have been made so far as LGUs are waiting for the passage of the bill, Angara said.

"We're very grateful because the President issued a certification of this bill as urgent. Ang kahalagahan nito (It's important because), it allows us to pass it in third and second reading on the same day. Because otherwise, we would have to wait three days in between second and third reading under the Constitution," he said in the television interview.

While it allows the expedited purchases of the vaccines, the bill maintains that any vaccine purchase should be done through a multiparty agreement and in compliance to the protocols of the national government.