Duterte: Vaccine nationalism must end

President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his Intervention at Session 2: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Informal Leaders’ Retreat via virtual convention from New Zealand on Friday (July 16), where he emphasized the need to end vaccine nationalism among the rich and developing countries.

Duterte regarded the global vaccine distribution as a great imbalance in vaccine access as 80% of the COVID-19 vaccines have gone to rich countries, leaving the rest to the developing world with so little to get by.

“The Philippines is concerned with increasing North-South divide between the vaccine haves and the have-nots. Notwithstanding our commitment to act together, we have somehow managed to turn this crisis into an unforgiving race to immunity,” the President said.

He said APEC Economies must resist imposing barriers to the free flow of vaccines and related essential products, and stabilize vaccine prices to the level that makes them more affordable to developing countries, such as the Philippines.

“The Philippines reiterates its call for equitable access to safe and effective vaccines. Global economic recovery hinges on an efficient and effective mass inoculation worldwide,” he added.

Duterte also mentioned the need to ensure that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are able to fully participate in the digital economy as these MSMEs are “drivers of economic growth”.

Moreover, the President said that APEC must also take the initiative to facilitate international travel while safeguarding public health through recognizing digital vaccination certificates that are scientific, verifiable and non-discriminatory. – (PIA) / CF – rir

Popular

PH gets support from Cambodia, Thailand in 2026 ASEAN chairship

By Brian Campued Cambodia and Thailand have conveyed their support for the Philippines’ upcoming chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year. During...

PBBM cites efforts to build ‘future-ready’ PH

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency The Philippines will be “future-ready” through fair taxation, relief for workers and measures to ease the cost...

PBBM champions early childhood education

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday distributed 35 school bags and a Starlink unit in La Paz Child Development Center (CDC)...

PBBM welcomes expansion of Bulacan cold storage facility

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. touted the expansion of the Royale Cold Storage (RCS) facility in Bulacan as a welcome development in...