ILIGAN City ― Local governments may utilize its Quick Response Fund (QRF) to procure vaccines against coronavirus disease, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
During the Network Briefing News with Communications Sec. Martin Andanar, NDRRMC Executive Director Usec. Ricardo Jalad said Republic Act (RA) 10121; Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) of the DBM, NDRRMC, and DILG; and the President’s declaration of a state of calamity are three legal bases for local governments to use the QRF for Covid-19 vaccines procurement.
Jalad said the QRF is a standby fund for relief and recovery programs so that situations and living conditions of people in communities or areas stricken by disasters, calamities, epidemics, or complex emergencies may be normalized as quickly as possible.
“Sa tingin ko, ang pagbili ng bakuna laban sa Covid ay nakaalign dito,” he said.
The NDRRMC Executive Director also explained that while the Covid-19 vaccine is not explicitly cited in the JMC of the DBM, NDRRMC, and DILG, local governments can anchor it on disaster response programs allowed by the memorandum provided the procurement will be incorporated in the annual investment program and supported by a resolution of the provincial/city/municipal council.
He pointed out that the procurement of the Covid-19 vaccine is a program or project similar in nature and considered necessary in disaster response.
Jalad added that local governments are allowed to use their QRF in disaster preparedness and response to contain the spread of Covid-19 under the declaration of a state of calamity.
“Ang pagbili ng bakuna ay makakatulong sa atin sa pagcontain sa spread ng Covid,” he said.
In Lanao del Sur, the Provincial IATF on Emerging Infectious Diseases held a roundtable discussion and brainstorming on Covid-19 vaccine procurement and roll-out plan on Wednesday. Negotiation on procuring vaccines either through a tripartite agreement or other modalities were also discussed with the Administrative and Finance Team of the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur.
PIATF Deputy Chairman Dr. Alinader Minalang said the provincial government has already signified its commitment to the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines. He said the funds to be allocated for the procurement is still being determined while the subsidy from the Barmm Government is yet to be known.
The Bangsamoro Government recently announced that it has earmarked P500 million from its 2021 Budget for the initial procurement of the Covid-19 vaccine. Accordingly, additional funding may be allocated should there be a need.
In Iligan City, mayor Celso Regencia has set aside P100 million to buy Covid-19 vaccines for Iliganons.
IATF Incident Commander and Fire Chief Inspector Butch Baulete said the city government has already crafted its vaccination plan for the next six months, however, they would still wait for the final guidelines of the national government. (PIA-10)
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