ASEAN HEADLINES : MANILA- City mayors want say on vaccine selection

MANILA, Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) should have the authority to choose their own COVID vaccine brands based on their constituents’ preference and financial capabilities, according to the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP).

LCP national president and Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia said LGUs should choose the vaccines that they want to procure for their residents even as it is the national government that heads the national vaccination program.

“It has to be a process of allocation, wherein we feel the distribution of the vaccines according to the preferences and capabilities of financing of the LGUs. That has to be considered,” Leonardia said during an interview Monday with OneNews’ “The Chiefs” aired on Cignal TV.