Tripartite deal still a go despite proposed expeditious LGU procurement of COVID vaccines —Galvez

Despite the proposal to expedite the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines by local government units, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on Thursday said the tripartite agreement among the LGUs, the national government, and manufacturers will still push through.

This, as manufacturers still have only an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their COVID-19 vaccines to be used in the country.

"Considering that this is an EUA, the private sector and the LGU cannot directly communicate with the vaccine producer. Even the vaccine manufacturers do not go directly to the LGU considering that it is still an EUA," Galvez told the Senate Committee on Finance as it tackled Senate Bill 2042.

A vaccine needs to secure an EUA from the FDA for it to be legally administered in the Philippines.

The measure essentially allows LGUs to expeditiously procure COVID-19 vaccines by exempting them on provisions under the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Currently, LGUs are allowed to purchase COVID-19 vaccines through tripartite agreements with the national government and vaccine manufacturers.

"The provisions of the tripartite agreement will be followed. It also provides safety to the LGU that it is the government that will indemnify for any adverse effect," Galvez said.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, who sponsors the measure, agreed to retain the tripartite agreement among LGUs, the national government, and the vaccine manufacturers. He said the tripartite agreement will allow the government to negotiate the prices of the vaccines.

"Kapag national government ang magne-negotiate ng price, puwede nilang babaan nang babaan," he said.

Quirino Governor Dakila Cua, president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, said he has no problem with following the policy of the national government when it comes to the procurement of the vaccines.

"I don't mind going with the NTF (National Task Force Against COVID-19) and DOH (Department of Health), particularly may issue pa on EUA. It would be a different matter if it already had a commercial registration, we'll be confident buying on our own using our own funds," he said.

"The purpose lang that's why we're asking for your support for this bill is because nakapirma na tayo, magpapalitan na ng pera, and yet, hindi pa rin solid yung legal footing," he added.

The Philippines targets to inoculate 50 to 70 million individuals within the year, and an estimated 50,000 is expected to be vaccinated in February.

According to the government's vaccination roadmap, health workers and frontliners from select government offices will be the first to receive the vaccine, followed by indigent senior citizens, other senior citizens, and other indigents. --KBK, GMA News