Kidapawan City prioritizes vendors, PUV drivers for COVID-19 vaccines

Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista has issued an executive order prioritizing vendors and public utility tricycle drivers for the city's COVID-19 vaccination program.

The order designates vendors, public utility tricycle drivers, and 'habal-habal' drivers as front-liners due to their essential services and risks.

Alongside these groups, frontline health workers, government employees, senior citizens, public school teachers, and law enforcers are also included in the priority list.

The city council approved a resolution placing Kidapawan under a state of calamity to facilitate the release of funds for vaccine procurement.

A total of PHP28 million has been allocated for vaccine acquisition in the first half of 2021.

The procurement will be conducted through a tripartite agreement involving the national government, the vaccine supplier, and the local government unit.

Mayor Evangelista emphasized the urgency of vaccine purchase to protect the lives of the city's residents.

The local government will select vaccines with at least 70 percent efficacy.