MGB authorizes mining companies and permit holders to purchase COVID-19 vaccines for host communities and employees

Iloilo City – As the Philippine government prepares to implement its vaccination plan to fight coronavirus, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) authorized mining contractors and permit holders to realign this year’s funds allocated for social development, safety and health programs to purchase COVID-19 vaccines for their host communities and workforce.

Mandated by the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, mining contractors and permit holders have allocated funds for the implementation of a Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) and Safety and Health Program (SHP).

MGB issued a memorandum on January 29, 2021, directing mining contractors and permit holders to realign the 2021 SDMP funds intended for the development of mining host and neighboring communities to purchase COVID-19 vaccines for the use of affected barangays and municipalities.  Meanwhile, MGB authorizes the purchase of vaccines for company employees and workers from the funds allocated by mining companies for the health and control services under their SHP.

“The implementation of this memorandum shall be included in the quarterly accomplishment reports to be submitted by mining companies subject to the monitoring of the MGB Regional Office concerned,” the MGB said.

MGB further states “the procurement of the COVID-19 vaccines will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines and procedures of the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Task Force on COVID-19 of the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.” (DENR, MGB 6)

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