President Duterte is willing to be the first or last person to get inoculated with the coronavirus vaccine.
(SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The President said he would let the poor, the military, and police be given priority in the vaccine distribution once the medicine becomes available.
"Kung gusto ninyo ako mauna para magkaroon ng kumpiyansa or I can be the last Filipino to get. Unahin kayong lahat, pahuli kami (If you want me to be the first to gain confidence or I can be the last Filipino to get (the vaccine). You will be the first, we will be the last)," Duterte said during his televised address Tuesday.
"Ang sigurado, hindi mahuhuli ang mahirap (The poor will certainly not be the last),” he added.
Last week, the President accepted Russia's offer to supply the country with its coronavirus vaccine and even volunteered to take the first vaccine shot as a gesture of trust and gratitude. He previously expressed optimism the country may return to normal lives by December amid the recent breakthrough in the global race for the coronavirus vaccine.
In his remarks Tuesday, the President promised to purchase vaccines for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). He said he was even willing to borrow funds for the acquisition of the medicine.
He said the poor families receiving subsidies from the government will be the first to get a dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Soldiers and policemen will also be given priority in the vaccine distribution.
"Mauna sa lahat ang mga military pati pulis kasi kung walang pulis at military, babagsak tayo. Sino mag-guwardiya sa atin? (The military and the police will be ahead of others because if there are no policemen and soldiers, we will fall. Who will guard us?)," he said.
The President remained confident that the coronavirus vaccine will be developed soon either by Russia or China. He cited that the two countries have already committed to help the country with the vaccine supply.
"Kung may bayad dahil marami masyado, e di utangin natin, credit na lang. Or maghanap tayo ng loan (If there is a fee for the supply, we will borrow money, take credit, or find a loan),” Duterte said.
"I’m sure they’re willing to give us that privilege of borrowing from them,” he added.