The municipal government of this town has allocated PHP8 million for the procurement of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine for its constituents once an approved brand is available in the country.

In an interview on Thursday, municipal information officer Resty Odon said the amount was realigned by the municipal government’s local school board headed by Mayor Cezar Quiambao.

“The PHP6-million realigned budget was from the Special Education Fund, which was allocated for the purchase of school supplies for the school year 2020-2021, while the PHP2 million was for the scholarship program,” he said.

He added the funds were not utilized due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

The vaccination will be free and voluntary but the priorities are residents with community service cards that are available at the municipality’s Local Civil Registry Office, Odon said.

“Tayo po ay gagawa ng paraan upang ang lahat ng gustong magpabakuna ay mabigyan ng libreng bakuna (We will do everything so that everyone who wants to avail of the vaccine will be vaccinated),” Quiambao said during the launch of mass vaccination program survey.

The survey program was conducted on Jan. 18 to assess the number of residents who want to be immunized and identify the priorities for the initial vaccination.

The municipal government said the community service card will be used to monitor the number of shots given to each resident and to ensure that Bayambangueños will be prioritized.

“We just want to be prepared so that when the vaccine becomes available, we are ready,” Quiambao said. (PNA)