Quezon City Representative Precious Hipolito Castelo on Saturday urged the government to allow private companies to import tax-free coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines for their employees and their families.         

"This is the only way the government can speed up vaccination and attain its goal of achieving herd immunity this year,” Castelo said in statement.       

She said almost three weeks since its rollout last March 1, "the vaccination program is still progressing at a snail’s pace."
         

She cited the Department of Health (DOH) report that around 216,000 frontline workers had received the first dose of the vaccine as of Tuesday, March 16.         

“At that rate, it would take years, perhaps decades, before the government can meet its target of vaccinating at least 70 million Filipinos,” Castelo stressed.         

She said allowing private businesses to bring in tax-free vaccines for their own personnel and their families would hasten the implementation of the vaccination program.         

With the private sector helping, she added that the government could use part of the vaccine funds for COVID-19 response measures like the acquisition of personal protective equipment for health workers and a new round of financial assistance to the poor.         

“These companies are willing to do it at their own expense. The government will not be spending for their vaccine procurement,” Castelo said.         

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Friday claimed that the Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) is being “blocked” from procuring COVID-19 vaccines from a Chinese company. He did not name who was blocking the purchase.

But an official of the business group said they were still awaiting the tripartite agreement from the government, which is required by vaccines manufacturers before the purchase.         

“The task force should quickly enter into such agreement with any private business owner or local government unit (LGU) wanting to bring in the jabs. Otherwise, achieving herd immunity so we can all return to normal life is asking for the moon,” Castelo said.