Duterte vows to sell assets, avail of loans to secure COVID-19 vaccine for Pinoys

President Rodrigo Duterte has committed to do everything he can to get hold of COVID-19 vaccines and immunize Filipinos from the contagion.

"As a matter of fact we would need about 110 million para mapainom ko sa lahat. Ang COVID nandiyan pa pero maging inutil na 'pag makainom na tayo ng vaccine," Duterte said in a meeting with Cabinet secretaries aired on Tuesday morning.

"If there is a thing that develops which is really good for you, mauna ako. Mag-utang ako. Magpabili ako kung saan puwede magpabili ng lupa. Ibili ko ng medicine," he added.

Duterte claimed that there are already vaccines in final stages of development in other countries.

"Meron na, final sa trial, sa Russia binitawan na nila. I'm sure China has already one, ang Amerika," he said.

"Maghintay lang kayo ng kaunti. Para sa mga plano natin. Put it somehting like hanggang towards the end of the year," the President added.

Last week, US biotech firm Moderna said it would enter the final stage of human trials for its COVID-19 vaccine before the month ends.

The first human trial of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine also showed promising results and continues to keep hopes up that it could be used by the end of the year.

The World Health Organization has assured the Philippines of an equitable share of COVID-19 vaccine once one becomes available.

As of Tuesday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country reached 68,898. Total recoveries numbered 23,072 while the death toll is at 1,835. —KG, GMA News