President Duterte is apparently exercising some vaccine diplomacy to boost the country's supply of the medical resource to boost Filipinos' protection against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
After talking to Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Duterte may reach out to India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tackle the country's potential vaccine supply.
"Wala pong immediate schedule na available pero nabanggit na po dati ng ating Pangulo, si President Modi, dahil isa rin po iyan na major source of ating vaccines (There is no immediate schedule available but the President mentioned talking to President Modi because they are one of the major sources of our vaccines),” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said during an online press briefing Thursday, April 15.
Roque mentioned the possible phone call between the President and his counterpart from India when asked about other world leaders Duterte intends to talk to secure additional vaccines for the Philippines.
The Philippines earlier signed a supply deal with Serum Institute of India for 30 million doses of Novavax vaccines. The agreement was finalized by vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. during a visit to India last month. The pharmaceutical giant based in India is considered the world's largest vaccine manufacturer.
Last Tuesday, April 13, the President had a 30-minute phone conversation with Putin tackling stronger bilateral cooperation in pandemic response, defense and security, trade and investment, among others.
As the two leaders renewed commitment to enhance ties, the Palace also announced that country's order of 20 million doses of Sputnik V vaccines from Russia. It said both leaders stressed the importance of ramping up global vaccine production and supplies to fight the pandemic.
"President Duterte and President Putin underscored the need for continuing and strengthened collaboration to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic," the Palace said.
The President has stepped up vaccine diplomacy after admitting the country faced a shortage of supply. Duterte said rich nations got their hands first on the vaccine supply wile poor nations like the Philippines are left to scramble for the remaining stocks.