Local and national governments were reminded by President Rodrigo Duterte to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccines they will procure are “safe and effective,” Senator Christopher Lawrence Go said on Thursday.
The President’s reminder was made after the signing of a memorandum allowing the National Task Force against COVID-19, the Department of Health, and local government units (LGUs) to make advance payments exceeding 15% of the total contract amount in procuring the vaccines, said Go.
It also came about after Duterte certified the proposed indemnification fund law which aims to compensate individuals who might experience possible adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines as urgent.
“Bagama’t nagmamadali na po ang ating Pangulo sa pagbili ng mga bakuna, pero pinaalala niya na dapat siguraduhing safe at effective po itong mga vaccines na binibili po ng gobyerno ngayon,” Senator “Bong” Go said.
The Senator praised Duterte’s immediate action in certifying as urgent Senate Bill 2057 and House Bill 8648 which seeks to expedite the procurement and administration of COVID-19 vaccines.
According to him, the legislature is committed to helping the executive branch in containing the spread of coronavirus and reviving the country’s economy amid the pandemic.
“Importante na maisabatas ito [indemnification fund bill] sa lalong madaling panahon dahil malaking parte ito ng ating National Covid-19 Vaccine Roadmap upang tuloy-tuloy na ang pag-roll out ng mga bakuna sa ating bansa,” Go added.
