The provision allowing local government units to directly purchase COVID-19 vaccines from manufacturers has been removed from the committee report released by the Lower House on House Bill No. 8648.
With this, the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines will still require the cooperation of the Department of Health (DOH) and with the National Task Force Against COVID-19.
“Kasi kung lahat makikipag-deal ay ma-o-overwhelm ‘yung mga pharma companies… We have 80 provinces, 1500 municipalities. Hindi pa kasama cities, tapos 44,000 barangays (If everyone enters into a deal, pharma companies will get overwhelmed… We have 80 provinces, 1500 municipalities. This does not yet include cities, and 44,000 barangays),” Quirino Rep. Junie Cua explained.
“Hindi magiging organized, magulo, at magco-compete pa sa limited volume, magpapatayan sa presyo. Kawawa tayong lahat (It will not be organized, chaotic, there will be competition on the limited volume and price. We will all suffer),” Rep. Cua added.
The lawmaker assured that the procurement of vaccines will not be affected and will be expedited despite the removal of the provision.
House Bill No. 8648. has been certified as urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte, according to Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on Thursday.
League of Provinces of the Philippines National President and Marinduque Gov. Presbitero Velasco said they are amenable with the provision but it would be better to allow them to act individually, citing the use of their own budget to lessen national government expenses.
“Tingin ko hindi naman ganoon karami. Tsaka hindi naman lahat bibili, at tsaka depende na sa pharmaceutical company ‘yun (I think it wouldn’t be that many, not everybody will buy, and it will depend on the pharmaceutical company),” Rep. Velasco said. – Report from Daniel Manalastas
