It is better to import the vaunted Sputnik-V vaccine from Russia than have it produced locally in the Philippines, Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin said Thursday afternoon.

Garin, a former health secretary, made this comment during a virtual briefing by Russian Embassy officials before the members of House Committee on People's Participation. San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan Rep. Florida “Rida” Robes chairs the panel.

Among the agenda of the briefing was an update on Russia's supposed breakthrough vaccine for the COVID-19 and the ongoing bilateral cooperation to bring the medicine to the Philippines.

"I just have some apprehensions on the Sputnik vaccine," said Garin, who is a Deputy Minority Leader.

"If the plan is to collaborate, that will not be a problem. But if the plan is to have a vaccine manufacturing plant in the Philippines, it has been tried several times but unfortunately the water source, especially in Luzon, would not qualify," she said.

"You need vast areas probably in areas in Mindanao or in the Visayas. But again it will take time," noted Garin, who beforehand told the Embassy officials that she was a "vaccinologist by profession."

"So if there will be collaboration when it comes to the vaccine, it would be better if it will be directly coming from their manufacturing plant (in Russia), duly licensed by and recognized by WHO (World Health Organization). That would be faster for us," she noted.

Garin did not explain why water sourced from Luzon for the purpose of manufacturing the COVID-19 vaccine wouldn't work.

Meanwhile, Aklan 2nd district Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. estimated that the Philippines would need 250 million doses of the vaccine.

Attending the briefing for the Russian Embassy were Tatiana Shlychkova, Vladislav Mongush, and Denis Karenin.

Robes asked the foreign panel if indeed Sputnik-V would be available by October 2021 as previously reported in the news.

"I think that it might be earlier, maybe in the first half of 2021," Mongush said. However, he underscored that the Russian vaccine's availability "would depend on the cooperation between both sides."

"We are ready to move as fast as possible due to the local conditions here and due to the speed of work of your Philippine scientists," he said.

"I think Philippine authorities should also review the documents for state registration of the vaccine. According to the statement of high-ranking officials, state registration might need up to one month," Mongush added.

Shlychkova confirmed that Sputnik-V would enter the second stage of clinical trials by the first week of October. She said the minimum time allotted for this stage is three months.

"At the very beginning of 2021 we can expect the positive result and of course it will be available to all...not only for those who would participate in the said clinical trials. I think it's a more optimistic scenario...We'll work together," she said.