Where there is a political will, there is a way.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña casts no doubts on the Philippines’ capacity to build its own vaccine manufacturing facility to cut its dependence from other countries as far as the development and production of vaccines is concerned, especially during pandemic crisis.
“Napakataas po ng chance basta gawin lang na priority ng gobyerno ay mgagawa (There is higher chance as long as it is given priority by the government, it can de done),” he said during the Broadcasters' Forum Online held on Thursday, March 11 when asked if there is a chance for the Philippines to have its own vaccine manufacturing facility.
“Ika nga eh yun lang pong pilitical will ang kailangan (As they say, we need political will),” the DOST chief stressed.
He noted that the joint House panel already passed a measure creating the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines.
The House Committees on Health and Science and Technology approved a substitute bill on Tuesday, March 9, creating the institute, which shall be an attached agency of the DOST. The institute, under the bill, has six divisions: Virus Research; Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research; Vaccines Research; Technical Services and Training; Policy, Planning and Linkages; and Finance and Administration.
De la Peña expressed hope that the bill would get the nod of the House Committee on Appropriations and would be eventually endorsed to the House plenary for its approval.
“Inaasahan namin na sa Senate na makakuha kami ng suporta. (We hope that we could get the support from the Senate),” he added.
The DOST chief said to support the country’s quest to set up own vaccine manufacturing facility, the government should consider giving incentives to companies that will set up their facilities. He said the implementation of such facilities "should be given attention.”
The House bill tasks the proposed Virology Science and Technology Institute to undertake scientific and technological research and development (R&D) in the field of virology and conduct product R&D in the areas of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.