SAN ANTONIO, Nueva Ecija — Mayor Arvin C. Salonga yesterday said he is open to procuring anti-COVID-19 vaccines for the municipal government’s own supply for the protection of his constituents.
Salonga said he sees no problem with procuring the vaccines and obtaining a loan from accredited banks.
“Kung kailangang ipangutang natin, bakit hindi. Pa-ba-budgetan natin sa Sangguniang Bayan at may credit line tayo sa bangko, gagawin natin,” said Salonga.
Salonga said they will purchase coronavirus vaccines that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Prioritized in the local immunization program are senior citizens, medical frontliners, the police, and members of the disaster units here, said Salonga.
“Mahalaga ang kalusugan sa panahong ito ng pandemya. Itong vaccine lang ang tanging paraan at nakikita nating solusyon upang makabalik sa normal na pamumuhay ang ating mga kababayan na labis na naapektuhan ang kabuhayan dahil sa COVID-19,” said the mayor.
Salonga made the announcement amid earlier declarations by Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, of the Department of Interior and Local Government that LGUs may procure their own vaccines to augment the national government’s national vaccination program.
The mayor said his town remains free from the coronavirus disease for over a month now.
