The city government here is ready to buy coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines, Mayor Edgardo Labella said on Monday.

Labella, in a press conference, said the city is also waiting for the go-signal from Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the designated vaccine czar of the country.

The mayor’s statement came after other major cities in the country such as Makati, Pasig, and Baguio already announced signing of purchase agreements with pharmaceutical giants.

He said the city preferred Pfizer and Moderna as good source of the vaccines.

The city government allocated PHP400 million for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines, he said.

The budget has already been approved and passed by the City Council last December 23.

“Months before vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. assured me that Cebu City is a priority for the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines, I had already directed our Committee of Budget and Finance to include the vaccination in funding preparations for future Covid-related programs,” Labella said.

The city government will be working closely with the national government on the vaccination program, he said.

Once the city government enters into a tripartite agreement with the national government and the vaccine supplier, the budget allocated for vaccine purchase will be ready for disposal, he added.

The city has identified priority sectors for the vaccination, which will include medical front-liners, senior citizens, the police and the military.

Labella assured that both the legislative and administrative branch of the Cebu City local government unit supports the national government in the vaccination efforts against Covid-19. (PNA)