Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso  said on  Thursday a supplemental budget amounting to P200 million for the procurement of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in Manila has been approved.

Domagoso, who signed Ordinance No. 8659 on Thursday, there is no need to wait for the 2021 budget should the vaccine become available this year.

“It turns out that the Manila City government already has available funds worth P200 million for the IMMEDIATE PROCUREMENT of COVID-19 vaccines for all Manileños should it become available this year,” Domagoso said in a tweet.

“No need to wait for [the] 2021 budget if [a] vaccine is available this year,” he said.

Leading  US-based coronavirus vaccine research developer Moderna Inc. announced on July 15 that it would start the final stage of human trials  for its COVID-19 vaccine on July 27.

On Wednesday, the company started talks with several countries for supply agreements for its experimental coronavirus vaccine. It has said the vaccine could be ready for widespread use by the end of this year.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte said he has asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to allow the Philippines to be one of the first to access a COVID-19 vaccine China may produce./Stacy Ang