MABALACAT CITY — The city government of Mabalacat has allotted PhP50 million for its COVID-19 vaccination program.
Mayor Crisostomo Garbo said the amount will include the establishment of a COVID-19 central hub and six vaccination centers.
“We will also utilize our rural health units for our immunization program when the vaccines become readily available for Mabalaqueños,” he said.
The mayor added that the city government is also looking at a tripartite agreement with AstraZeneca and the Department of Health as part of the acquisition deal for the said vaccine shots.
“We are eyeing to purchase vaccines from the British-Swedish drug-maker AstraZeneca due to its safety, higher efficacy, and low maintenance requirements,” the local chief executive said.
Garbo furthered that he already issued an executive order assigning the Mabalacat City Task Force for its COVID-19 vaccination.
“We already have a process in place and we will try to get everyone immunized. Aside from our funds, we will also seek the help of the national and provincial government to provide for our local government,” he said.
Once available, the vaccines will be given to priority sectors including the city’s medical workers, indigent senior citizens, uniformed personnel, and other frontline workers.