SEEKING HELP FROM GOV'T. Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez says on Friday (July 15, 2022) that he is seeking assistance from the national government in addressing the issue of the payment of the city’s PHP98 million balance in the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Philippines Inc. “We’ll see what can be done but definitely, since it’s a tripartite arrangement, I will seek national assistance in terms of settling this account,” he added. (PNA photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver)
BACOLOD CITY – The city government here is seeking assistance from the national government to address the issue of the payment of its PHP98 million balance in the procurement of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Philippines Inc.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Friday his office has already obtained an original copy of the purchase agreement from the manufacturer.
“We were given a copy yesterday. We are now looking into it. It was given by AstraZeneca. Right now, it’s under study. We’ll see what can be done but definitely, since it’s a tripartite arrangement, I will seek national assistance in terms of settling this account,” he told reporters.
Benitez said he will look at all options available and will “decide accordingly on what’s best for Bacolod”.
Earlier this week, the mayor said he has asked the City Legal Office to review the purchase agreement with the vaccine maker after its representative met with him recently to request payment for the remaining 434,000 doses that the city has not officially received.
During the previous administration headed by then-mayor Evelio Leonardia, the city government had purchased 650,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca.
Of the number, only 216,000 doses have been received and fully used by the City Health Office.
An initial PHP65 million had been paid by the city government out of the total procurement price of PHP163 million.
Benitez had earlier said he would rather not pay for the remaining vaccines as he wants the money used for programs for Bacolodnons.
Under Republic Act 11525, local government units have been authorized to procure the vaccines in cooperation with the national government, through the Department of Health and the National Task Force on Covid-19, in a tripartite agreement with the pharmaceutical companies. (PNA)
