Google map of Butuan City.
BUTUAN CITY–The city government will allocate PHP61 million to buy coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines.
“We are targeting to procure more or less 200,000 doses out from the initial budget, so that’s good for 100,00 people since every individual needs 2 doses,” City Information Officer Michiko de Jesus told the Philippine News Agency Saturday.
De Jesus said the procurement would be done through a tripartite agreement involving the private sectors and the national and local government.
“We will prioritize the healthcare workers both in public and private, the local government unit (LGU) contact tracers, barangay health workers, employees in other national government agencies in our region, uniformed men, and indigent senior citizens,” she said.
Apart from the local government budget, she said the city is also seeking more funds from various donors.
“We will ensure that the vaccination program in the city will be effective as the City Health Office will coordinate with the Department of Health and other agencies in the distribution of the vaccines,” de Jesus said.
The budget for the vaccination program is pending the approval of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Among the provinces and cities in Caraga, Butuan City remains to have the highest number of Covid-19 cases reported since the pandemic broke out in March last year.
As of Friday, the city reported a total of 1,873 Covid-19 positive cases, of which 1,713 patients have already recovered, and only 94 cases remain active.
The pandemic has claimed 66 lives in the city alone. (PNA)
