Palace on Robredo’s proposal to prepare vaccine recipients list: Already done

Vice President Leni Robredo’s suggestion for the government to prepare the initial list of recipients of the COVID-19 vaccine ahead of its expected rollout sometime next year came “too late,” Malacañang said Monday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the government already had a list of potential recipients even before Robredo made her suggestion on Sunday, adding the priority groups include medical frontliners, the poor, military, and the police.

“We don’t have to adopt the suggestion dahil meron na po kaming listahan,” Roque told a news conference in Davao City. 

“Thank you very much again but again po a bit too late kasi si Presidente Duterte po 10 steps ahead.”

Robredo also cited the lack of budget for vaccine storage equipment and urged authorities to request additional funds for logistics.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier said senators had agreed to allocate more funds for COVID-19 vaccines and cold storage facilities.

Some P2.5 billion has initially been allocated under the proposed 2021 national budget for COVID-19 vaccine procurement.

Duterte recently approved recommendations for the Philippines to enter into advance supply agreements and provide early payments to COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, as well as to allow the emergency use of vaccine candidates. — RSJ, GMA News