Therapeutics are only good for those in the treatment phase. Facemasks, handwashing and keeping distance from others, though more effective, are only 100 percent effective in a bubbler environment. Consistent practice or habitual application can also lead to paranoia and other mental issues. The ultimate deterrent and protection, as we all know and pray for, is the creation or development of an effective vaccine to thwart infection or kill the virus inside our bodies. Toward this end, and although the country is scientifically challenged and unable at this point in time to join the vaccine sweeps, the Duterte government is all out to ensure we get early dibs or reservations from countries in the race for vaccine development.
Budget Secretary Wendell Avisado has confirmed an initial allocation of 2 and a half billion for the procurement for over a million doses of the coronavirus vaccine in next year’s proposed national budget.
The DBM head honcho issued the disclosure yesterday in the wake of President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement of confidence, assuring the nation’s financial capability to procure any viral antidote released by Moscow or Beijing in the near future. The scheme of payments in tranches or installments was also made clear.
“We have included P2.5 billion for one million vaccines in the proposed 2021 national budget but the DOF (Department of Finance) has another source to buy the vaccines good for 20 million,” he said in a text message when asked where the government will source funds to buy vaccines.
Both the LandBank and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) shall source the funds which state-run Philippine International Trading Corporation will transact or execute.
Finance Chief and government’s leading technocrat Sonny Dominguez hinted last month of a ballpark 20 billion to procure vaccine doses for 20 million Filipinos. Moscow’s highly touted Sputnik V vaccine could be ready for roll-out by April next year per last week’s statement from the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development.
