By Christine Fabro
Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla appealed to the national government for more vaccine allocation to the local government units (LGUs) in Calabarzon.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday (Aug. 17), Remulla said there is a disparity in vaccine distribution among LGUs in the National Capital Region and nearby provinces, specifically in Cavite and Laguna, where most residents travel in and out of Metro Manila for work.
“Sabihin na natin na ang epicenter ng pandemya ay talaga namang ang Metro Manila o NCR. Nguni’t dahil kalapit ng NCR ang Cavite at Laguna, hindi maiiwasang kumalat din sa ating lalawigan ang malalang epekto ng COVID-19,” Remulla said.
He added that the local governments of Calabarzon have their hands full as they do their best efforts for their provinces.
“Sana rin ay maintindihan po ninyo na kaming mga LGUs ay all-hands-on-deck. Sa laki ng suliranin natin, sa totoo lang ay wala na po kaming oras sa mga walang kwentang bagay. No time to argue with fools,” he said.
Remulla announced in early April that the Cavite provincial government ordered its own three million doses of Novavax COVID-19 – by the third week of August or first week of September – to inoculate some 1.5 million Caviteños for free.
However, Remulla says there has been a slow pace in vaccine procurement and delivery.
“Ang vaccine procurement ay masalimuot na proseso. It is not a walk in the park. Bukod sa FDA (Food and Drug Administration) emergency use authorization ay nakapila din tayo kasabay ang ilan pang mga bansang nangangailangan rin nito mula sa iba’t-ibang parte ng mundo,” Remulla said.
The FDA on Aug. 6 said American biotechnology company, Novavax, applied for emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine in the Philippines. However, the vaccine brand still had incomplete requirements.
To review the vaccine’s trial data and other information, the FDA needs at least 21 days to determine the quality, safety, and efficacy of the jab. – bny
