As the pandemic continued to take a toll on the nation, the Philippine government has turned to the United States for the purchase of additional vaccines to fight the coronavirus disease.
President Duterte has urged the United States to allot more coronavirus vaccines to the Philippines, saying the government has funds for the purchase of any surplus supply of the life-saving drugs.
Duterte, in a televised address Monday, August 16, sought the United States help in the vaccine delivery even as he acknowledged it would prioritize the inoculation of Americans first.
"I am just asking America to give us more kung mayroon lang sila. We are not --- I know that mauna kami --- or kami muna, we first before you. We understand it and we accept it," he said.
"But if there is an excess of supply sa inyo, pakitulong naman dito sa bayan ko (please help my country). We have the money, we buy, we do not ask. We have saved money for this event,' he added.
The United States recently donated some 3 million Moderna vaccines to the Philippines. The vaccines were delivered early this month. Earlier, the US government gave 3.2 million doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccines to the Philippines through the COVAX facility.
The President has thanked the United States for the vaccination donation, admitting that such gesture prompted him to keep the country's visiting forces agreement (VFA) with the United States. Duterte earlier wanted to terminate the military deal, that provides the legal status of visiting American troops in the country, but changed his mind following a meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a visit to Manila.
The country has so far received more than 41 million doses of coronavirus vaccines, including supply purchases from US companies like Pfizer and Moderna.