Duterte ups reward for COVID-19 vaccine discovery to P50M; offers research funding

The reward for Filipinos who would discover a vaccine for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been raised by President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, five times the initial offer.

"I'm raising the bounty to P50 million. P50 million ho ang ibigay ko sa grupo because it is a collegial thing," Duterte said in a briefing.

"P50 million, baka 'pag sa ligaya ko another P50 million. Kung maligaya akong masyado eh di P100 million, puro kayo milyonaryo... Huwag kayong mahiya, tanggapin ninyo ito," he said.

He also told the Department of Health that he is willing to give additional research funding to local scientists.

"Kung kailangan nila ng additional funding, all they have to do is magsabi lang sila sa iyo [Health Secretary Francisco Duque III], I'd be glad to di masyadong malaki kasi gipit tayo sa pera, I will freely give it to them," Duterte said.

Vaccine

The Chief Executive said only a vaccine could put an end to the COVID-19 crisis.

"Ang COVID hindi matatapos 'yan. It will be here and it will stay until kingdom come pero kapag may bakuna na—baka sakali na mauna tayo, ma-involve din 'yung ating more scientists to work over time to come up with a vaccine. COVID equals vaccine. Period," he said.

Duterte initially offered P10 million to any Filipino who would be able to successfully find a cure for the global pandemic.

Meanwhile, 500 COVID-19 patients in the country are set to join the World Health Organization's solidarity trial of drugs against COVID-19. 

As of April 23, the Philippines recorded a total of 6,981 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 462 deaths and 722 recoveries.

The enhanced community quarantine has been extended once again to May 15 over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, CALABARZON and other high-risk provinces. — RSJ, GMA News