BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson of Negros Occidental has signed a “non-disclosure agreement” with a foreign pharmaceutical company to potentially buy the vaccine it developed against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19.)
According to Lacson, he approved the preliminary deal with a private vaccine developer to ensure that Negros Occidental will get a supply of the vaccine early this year.
As part of the contract, Lacson explained he cannot divulge any details on the possible procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.
But he disclosed that the provincial government allocated P30 million to buy anti-coronavirus shots initially intended for medical frontliners.
“The source of fund is the Provincial Disaster Fund,” said Lacson.
He, however, admitted that the amount may not be enough for what the province needs.
While he expects an allocation from the national government, Lacson encouraged local government units, especially the cities, to allocate funds for the vaccine procurement.
Earlier, former congressman and now provincial consultant on economic affairs Alfredo Benitez said he is negotiating to make Negros Occidental among the first provinces to avail themselves of COVID-19 vaccines by early this year.
Lacson tasked him to lead the provincial government’s vaccine procurement efforts.
“We already have an agreement with the national government for the purchase of the vaccines and they are trying to negotiate with United States-based Moderna or Chinese biotech Sinovac for allocations,” Benitez said.
To date, Negros Occidental had a total of 6,408 COVID-19 infections – 5,961 of which recovered, leaving 288 active cases being monitored./PN
