By NG Seruela
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte pushed for “universal access to safe and effective vaccines” at the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) One World Protected Summit on Wednesday (June 2).
In the summit co-hosted by Japan Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Gavi Board Chair Jose Manuel Barroso, President Duterte emphasized the current “glaring imbalance” in COVID-19 vaccine distribution. He asserted that the “imbalance must be corrected” or no “real and inclusive global recovery” will be achieved.
The Philippine President pledged a $1 million contribution to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) COVAX facility to “aid in accelerating global vaccination coverage.”
“It is our moral responsibility to help each other and face this crisis with greater solidarity and urgency. While modest, our contribution demonstrates our firm commitment to this global fight against COVID-19,” he said.
In the President’s weekly address on May 31, he said the COVAX facility is “soliciting contributions from countries who can help.” He announced that the Philippines will donate $1 million to the institution because it has been helping the country throughout its vaccination program.
READ MORE: PH to donate $1-M to WHO’s COVAX facility
The Chief Executive added that the Philippines counts on the COVAX AMC initiative to deliver the “much-needed” vaccines to developing countries. He thanked the Gavi Alliance for its initiative and encouraged more countries to also contribute. – jlo
