By Alec Go
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night (June 29) advised local government units to report to the national government “in advance” their needs for their COVID-19 vaccine rollouts.
According to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, military hospitals and units have been instructed to assist LGUs amid the arrival of vaccines in bulk.
Duterte said the government is prepared to transport vaccines to far-flung areas in the country using “all assets of the government.”
“Ang problema kasi dito, you must have the refrigeration. If you do not have one, tell us in advance so that hindi kami magkamali magpadala, tapos you do not have the equipment to keep the temperature designed for vaccines,” he said.
“It will go to waste kapag magpadala kami roon, wala kayong refrigeration or something akin to it to ensure the integrity of the vaccine. ‘Yan ang hiling namin,” he added.
Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the country is expecting between 11 million to more than 13 million COVID-19 vaccine doses in July, including the Japanese and American government donations.
The country has already received 17,455,470 doses as of June 28, of which 9,126,420 were delivered in June alone. The government estimates the delivery of 40 million to 55 million doses from June to September.
Galvez said the “main bulk” of supplies will be delivered in August, when the general population vaccination is expected to begin.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) recommended to Duterte the retention of the general community quarantine in NCR Plus Areas.
At least 21 areas are being proposed to be placed under modified enhanced community quarantine from July 1 to 15. The recommendations are subject to appeal and have yet to be approved by the President. – jlo
