ADVERTISEMENT
Philippines will go for cheapest COVID-19 vaccine —Duterte
Given the country's scarce funds, President Rodrigo Duterte said the Philippines will buy the cheapest COVID-19 vaccine that will be available in the market, saying all vaccines have the same effect.
"It's there. I think it's Moderna, it is a US company, I think they are ready by September. . . . Sinovac, China is also ready," he said in a taped address aired nationwide Monday.
"Kung sino magbigay ng mura dun tayo pupunta. We know we don’t have much money, kung mahal masyado, we will go for the less expensive ones," Duterte added.
Under the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, which is awaiting Duterte's signature, a P10 billion standby fund for COVID-19 vaccines and for testing has been set aside.
Duterte earlier said the Philippine government will pay
ADVERTISEMENT
He also added that he will be asking the Russian and Chinese governments for loans for the vaccines due to the “economic hemorrhage” the country is facing.
In his message, Duterte declared that the Philippines has "flattened the curve" in its campaign against the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
"We had obedience and people followed that meant a lot and contributed to what is happening now that there's a flattening of cases," he said.
"Yung local government also played a vital role in the [enforcement] of anti-virus measures. I salute you for doing your duty very well," he added.
He called on the people to remain vigilant despite the positive development, adding this does not mean that COVID-19 is gone but remains "floating." —LDF, GMA News