Duterte offering P10-M reward to any Filipino who can discover COVID-19 vaccine — Roque

President Rodrigo Duterte is offering a P10-million reward for any Filipino who can discover a vaccine against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Malacañang said Tuesday.

“Inanunsyo po ng Pangulo na siya ay magbibigay ng pabuya na hanggang 10 milyong piso sa kahit sinong Pilipino na makakadiskubre ng vaccine laban sa COVID-19,” Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised briefing.

Duterte will also extend a “substantial grant” to the University of the Philippines and the Philippine General Hospital for vaccine development, the Palace official said.

Potential vaccines are being developed in other countries such as the United States, China, Japan and Australia.

Last week, Duterte told Asian leaders in a virtual meeting that all countries should be given “fair and easy” access to vaccines and treatments for COVID-19 once they become available.

He said a vaccine and/or treatment “must be found sooner rather than later.”

Duterte also said the Philippines is ready to participate in clinical trials and medical studies of potential vaccines and medicines such as Avigan, a Japanese flu drug that Chinese authorities said in March could be effective for treating COVID-19 patients. — RSJ, GMA News