Are towns left behind in vaccine acquisition?

By Dolly Yasa 

 

BACOLOD City – Mayor Marxlen Dela Cruz of Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental said municipalities are in a fix on how they can acquire Covid-19 vaccines.

He said only the cities are always being talked about when it comes to the vaccines, and nothing about them.

Dela Cruz said that only Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has so far assured to look into their plight as regards the vaccines.

The mayor said he is hoping that municipalities can avail of free vaccines.

Dela Cruz also said that there is no word from the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) as to how the municipalities will be able to acquire vaccines.

“I was surprised as mayor of DSB and I believe amongst other municipal mayors because this has never been discussed to us by the LMP and there was no communication.” he lamented.

“Big time cities in Metro Manila already talked with vaccine companies.  We (municipal mayors) just listened and we do not know whom to talk to or where must we start. Our good Governor Lacson talked to us in a Zoom conference and well the city mayors of the province are ready.  Me as mayor of a 4th class municipality can only seek help from the province. We are asking him to give us free vaccines instead because we have no budget for that. We also need to immunize our constituents.”

He lamented that the share of the municipalities from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) are too little compared to that of the cities.

“We are in a pandemic… vaccines against Covid-19 should be a national responsibility.  Just like all immunization drives, it is always the national government that shoulders. Covid-19 vaccines should be available to all, too,” Dela Cruz added.