Duterte allows LGUs to pay 50% advance for vaccines

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Presidential Memorandum 51 allowing local government units (LGUs) to make advance payments of up to 50 percent for COVID-19 vaccine procurement.

This authority enables LGUs to meet pharmaceutical companies' requirements for down payments, such as the 20 percent required by AstraZeneca.

The order supplements the national vaccination program and is effective until the State of Calamity due to COVID-19 is lifted.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia of Bacolod City lauded the President's decision, stating it will accelerate local vaccination programs.

Bacolod City has secured 650,000 doses from AstraZeneca, expected to arrive in the third quarter.

The memorandum allows the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 and the Department of Health (DOH) to approve advance payments exceeding the usual 15 percent limit under the Government Procurement Reform Act, if authorized by the NTF chief implementer.