Gov’t ready to sell assets to buy COVID-19 vaccine — Palace

The government is ready to sell its assets to fund the purchase of a vaccine to combat the spread of COVID-19, Malacañang said Friday.

There is no cure or vaccine yet for COVID-19, which has already killed nearly 1,300 people in the Philippines.

“Basta po mayroon ng gamot diyan sa COVID-19. Basta may bakuna, ibebenta natin lahat ng ari-arian ng gobyerno para makabili po tayo para sa ating mga kababayan,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised briefing when asked about the government’s COVID-19 vaccine strategy.

“Iyan po ang paninindigan ni Presidente – buhay muna bago ari-arian.”

President Rodrigo Duterte said in April that he would consider selling the assets of the Philippine government if its funds for the fight against COVID-19 and for the assistance to affected Filipinos run out.

Duterte also said that all countries should be given “fair and easy” access to vaccines and treatments for COVID-19 once they become available.  — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News