The Philippine government has appealed to rich nations to avoid hoarding the coronavirus vaccines, saying these former colonial masters do not have the sole right to survive the pandemic.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made a pitch for equitable distribution of the life-saving vaccines amid concerns that the wealthiest nations have bought the vast majority of the world's vaccine supply.
Over a billion coronavirus vaccines have reportedly been administered across the world but more than half reportedly went to a handful of rich countries. Poor nations have reportedly been scrambling for the remaining supply of the limited vaccines.
"Itong pandemic is governed by laws of humanity kaya ang ating pakiusap lalong-lalo na sa mayayamang bansa na nag-ho-hoard ng bakuna, hindi naman puwede na kayong dating mga colonial na bansa ang siya lang mabubuhay dahil binili ninyo lahat ng (bakuna) (The pandemic is governed by laws of humanity so we appeal especially to the rich countries hoarding vaccines, it is not right the you, the former colonial nations, are the only ones who can live because you bought all the vaccines)," Roque said during a televised press briefing Tuesday, April 27.
"In situations of pandemic, we're all governed by the laws of public international law, the dictates of public conscience, and laws of humanity," he added.
Roque admitted that the country could only attain "victory" when it has completed the vaccination of adult Filipinos and attained herd immunity.
More than a million people have so far received a first dose of the coronavirus vaccine under the government's free inoculation drive. Additional vaccine supplies from Russia and China are expected to arrive this month. The government aims to inoculate 70 million Filipinos this year to achieve herd immunity.
In a special forum of the United Nations Economic and Social Council last week, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. relayed the country's appeal against the hoarding of vaccines, saying it only "hurts everyone and the global response." He also appealed for closer international cooperation in addressing the pandemic, especially in ensuring fair access to the vaccines.
“The Philippines remains resolute in championing a policy of ensuring universal, fair, equitable, and timely access to COVID-19 vaccines as long-term solutions to building back better, amid the emergence of new variants and the global scarcity that has been challenging vaccine rollouts in some countries,” he said.