By Gabriela Baron
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 25, vowed to create the Philippines’ own Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a vaccine institute.
In his maiden State of the Nation Address, Marcos Jr. said the administration of COVID-19 vaccine and COVID-19 booster shot will continue.
“Itatatag natin ang sariling Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Vaccine Institute,” he added.
In 2021, former President Rodrigo Duterte asked the Congress to enact a law creating the Vaccine Institute of the Philippines and the CDC.
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Marcos Jr. said he is also eyeing the construction of more health centers and specialty hospitals such as the Lung Center of the Philippines and National Kidney and Transplant Institute.
“Maglalagay ng rural health units sa buong bansa para mailapit ang health care system sa taumbayan,” he continued.
“We will exert more efforts to improve the welfare of our doctors, nurses, and other medical frontliners,” he added.
Marcos Jr. also assured that there will be more cheap generic drugs in the market under his administration.
“Other than COVID-19, there are also other common diseases that need immediate attention,” he added. -ngs