Duterte grants LGUs authority to buy COVID-19 vaccines

President Rodrigo Duterte granted local government units (LGUs) authority to make advance payments for procuring coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines, a move lauded by Mayor Evelio Leonardia of Bacolod.

Leonardia, national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), thanked Duterte and said this would accelerate local vaccination programs.

The LCP had previously appealed to the Office of the President for an executive order authorizing city mayors to make advance payments for contracted vaccines.