The city government of Ormoc in Leyte is setting aside PHP350 million for the procurement of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines for 80 percent of its residents.

In a meeting late Wednesday, the local inter-agency task force headed by Mayor Richard Gomez approved the amount to finance the local government’s priority activity this year.

“I want a 100-percent coverage, but the sum might just initially cover around 80 percent because there will be other expenses like syringes, cotton, alcohol, storage, etc.,” Gomez said in an announcement posted on the city government’s Facebook page.

The Ormoc City Covid-19 Vaccine Council, a body created by the mayor on Dec. 29, 2020, will come up with a strategy for the vaccination program.

The body is composed of key city government officials and representatives of the private sector.

The council has yet to identify the brand of the vaccine the local government will buy.

The allocation will be sourced out from the city’s PHP1. 6 billion budget for 2021.

Gomez said just like in 2020 where a bulk of Ormoc’s budget was spent on Covid-19 prevention measures, the purchase of the vaccines will be this year’s priority.

As of Dec. 31, Ormoc has recorded 475 confirmed Covid-19 cases, including 415 recoveries, and seven deaths. (PNA)