THE Iloilo Provincial Government is allotting an initial budget of P95 million for the purchase of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine for its constituents.

The Provincial Board has approved the request of Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. to enter into a multilateral agreement to procure 271,000 doses of AztraZeneca AZD1222 vaccines.

The multilateral agreement is between and among AztraZeneca and the National Government, Department of Health, and the Iloilo Provincial Government.

Defensor said the province is prepared to implement the vaccination program. He will issue an executive order next week for its implementation.

He added that the cold storage facilities are ready to be installed at the Iloilo Sports Complex and district hospitals.

“We already want to start with the vaccination program. We have the chance and we will do it,” he said.

The frontliners, senior citizens, and those with comorbidities will be the first to be vaccinated.

The governor said the initial budget was based on the policy of the National Government, as well as the acceptance of the public to the vaccination program.

“This is a developing program and the vaccine industry is also developing,” Defensor said. (PR)