The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) welcomed Wednesday, March 31, President Duterte’s intention to establish an institute that will develop and produce vaccines in the country as his legacy to the nation before his six-year term ends next year.
DOST Secretary Fortunato "Boy" T. de la Peña expressed hopes that the Chief Executive's proposed institute will focus on the development of vaccines.
"We are pushing for the establishment of the Virology Science & Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) that has the development of vaccines as a major responsibility. I hope the President is referring to that,” he told the Manila Bulletin in a Viber message.
"The mass production of vaccines , however, would be another matter. It can be done by the private sector, by a GOCC (government-owned and controlled corporation) or by a joint venture."
Malacañang announced on Tuesday, March 30, that President Duterte is eyeing the establishment of an institute that will develop and produce vaccines in the country.
During the Broadcasters’ Forum Online held on March 11, 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.