Manila City local government prepared an additional P1.1 billion budget for its own COVID-19 vaccination program for 2021, Mayor Isko Moreno announced on Tuesday.
Moreno told CNN Philippines that Manila LGU would realign its infrastructure budget for its COVID-19 immunization program.
“’Yung 2021 na preparation ng annual budget, nag-float kami na what we call ‘soft budgeting,’ wherein ‘yung mga infrastructure for road improvement and all other things, itinabi muna namin,” he said.
“Nilagay namin sa what we call soft budgeting. At doon possibleng kunin pa at magkaroon kami ng access about P1.1 billion. Ito, on top of the P250 million,” he added.
Last week, Mayor Isko said the Manila City government would earmark P250 million to purchase COVID-19 vaccines once allowed by the national government.
“I would rather go and invest again more with the safety of everyone here in Manila. ‘Yon man lamang ay makadagdag kami sa solusyon na gustong ma-achieve ng national government,” Mayor Isko Moreno said.
‘Pag dumaan ka sa Maynila pagpapasensyahan mo muna kami ‘pag nalubak-lubak ka nang kaunti ha? ‘Yong lubak-lubak matitiis natin ‘yon,” he added.
Mayor Isko said they would prioritize around 326,330 people in the local vaccination program. This list includes senior citizens, medical frontliners, and the working-age group.
Manila LGU adds P1.1B to its COVID-19 vaccine budget
“Meron na bang plano? Yes, we have. And I think everybody should do the same while we are awaiting for the approved, certified, safe, and effective vaccine for the country,” he said.
“In fact, we are already preparing our card, the vaccine card,” he added.
Meanwhile, Moreno ordered an investigation on the alleged unauthorized COVID-19 vaccination activity in Binondo.
“If true, this is definitely unauthorized since the undersigned has not ordered the same, nor is he aware or informed that any national government agency will already conduct the said activity,” Moreno said.
“Moreover, the national government has not yet approved any form of COVID-19 vaccination,” he added.
Mayor Isko noted that unauthorized COVID-19 vaccination could endanger one’s life.
Moreno gave the concerned local officials 48 hours to submit their findings regarding the matter.