Health Committee Chair Sen. Christopher Go assured the Philippines will immediately benefit from its relationship with the US, Russia, and other countries the current administration has alliance with.
Go said it will also ensure the immediate acquisition of the vaccine against COVID-19 once it is made available by the said countries.
“Tatlong bagay ang nasa offer ni Ambassador Khovaev. Una, na dito rin sa Pilipinas mag-conduct ng clinical trials. Magsu-supply din sila sa atin ng bakunang ito kontra COVID-19. At, pangatlo, plano nilang mag-set up ng local manufacturing dito mismo sa bansa natin (There are 3 things under Ambassador Khovaev’s offer. First is to conduct clinical trials in the Philippines. They will supply vaccines for COVID-19. Third is they plan to set up local manufacturing here),” Sen. Go disclosed.
Go added that due to President Duterte’s independent foreign policy of “being an enemy to none and a friend to all”, the government ensures the country’s access to development and supply for COVID-19 vaccines from countries tagged as “development partners.”
“Unahin dapat ‘yung mga mahihirap na nangangailangan ng vaccine pero walang kakayahan na makabili nito. Dapat siguraduhing maging available, accessible at affordable ito sa lahat. Dapat pantay-pantay (The poor who need vaccine but have no means of acquiring it must be prioritized. Its availability, accessibility, and affordability must be guaranteed. It should be equal),” Go emphasized. – Report from Eunice Samonte