Manila allots P200-M for Covid-19 vaccine once available

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MANILA – Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso signed an ordinance appropriating some PHP200 million for the immediate procurement of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines for all Manileños should it become available anytime this year.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Domagoso said the city is ready to buy Covid-19 vaccines anytime after the Manila City Council approved Ordinance 8659, which appropriates some PHP200 million as a supplemental budget for the Fiscal Year 2020 for Covid-19 vaccines.

He thanked the city budget officer, lawyer Grace Chua, city treasurer Jas Taligon, and the rest of the city council headed by Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, for making sure that funds would be available this year to procure the vaccine.

With the funds in place, Domagoso said this assures Manila residents that once a vaccine becomes available and gets the approval of health authorities, the City of Manila would be able to buy them immediately without having to wait for the passage of the 2021 budget.

“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 said.

Covid-19 serology testing machines

Domagoso, meanwhile, attested to the accuracy and effectiveness of the serology testing machines acquired by the city government for its free Covid-19 testing.

The machine has an accuracy rate of 99.6 percent specificity and 100 percent sensitivity he said, adding that it could trace possible Covid-19-positives and is also being used in other countries.

Aside from tracing those who are positive for Covid-19, Domagoso said other diseases such as HIV, cancer, hepatitis, and tuberculosis may also be traced through serology testing.

Aside from the serology test, the city also offers free swab testing for its constituents.

Domagoso, on the other hand, said Manila has already received nearly PHP20 million in cash donations from various sectors.

The amount, he said, would be used to assure that free health services are given to every Manileño against the disease.