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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Vaccine czar eyed to improve COVID-19 response

Vaccine czar eyed to improve COVID-19 response

Published Oct 26, 2020 03:25 pm

Malacañang said that the Executive Branch is actually considering appointing a vaccine czar who will take charge of the procurement and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (RESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto urged Malacañang to appoint a “vaccine czar” to improve the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recto said that a vaccine czar will be needed to address the importance of distributing vaccines to 110 million Filipinos.

In his Monday presser, Roque said that the government has already discussed naming a vaccine czar and that President Duterte has already named one but the appointment has not yet been announced.

"The concept of a vaccine czar na tututok doon sa importation at doon sa (who will focus on the importation and) logistics has been discussed," he said.

"In fact, two months ago, the President designated one kaya lang ayaw magpa-announce ng taong yun until the President reiterates na dinesignate nga siya (but this person doesn't want it to be announced until the President reiterates that he has been designated)," he added.

Meanwhile, Roque said that the country's envoys in other countries have been coordinating with companies who are working on a COVID-19 vaccine.

"It's a whole-nation approach. Ang mga ambassadors natin (our ambassadors) in the different countries that are developing vaccines are pro-active in ensuring and negotiating with the companies that we will have a just share of the vaccine once developed," he said.

This month, President Duterte assured the public that he has already found the money to buy COVID-19 vaccines. According to Malacañang, an initial 20 million Filipinos will get the vaccine for free.

Roque said this month that the estimated price for a vaccine is US$10 per dose. An individual should have two doses of the vaccine.

He added that if the vaccine will be available this year, the government would have to borrow from the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines to buy them. However, if it would be released next year, the funds for the vaccine will be taken from the proposed P4.5-trillion 2021 national budget.

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