Passage of bill seeking to expedite purchase of COVID vaccines eyed before month ends, solon says

A lawmaker on Thursday expressed hope that the measure seeking to expedite the procurement and administration of COVID-19 vaccines will be passed and eventually signed into law President Rodrigo Duterte before the month ends.

In a virtual interview with reporters, Quirino Representative Junie Cua, who sponsored House Bill 8648, said the House of Representatives is targeting to pass the measure by next week.

The proposed HB 8648 is the Act Expediting the Purchase and Administration of Vaccines for the Protection Against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 by Providing Exemptions to Compliance with the Procurement Requirements Under Republic Act No. 9184, Otherwise Known as the "Government Procurement Reform Act," and Other Purposes.

"Gusto sana namin matapos kagabi kaso medyo naatraso 'yung certification so naging decision ng Senado is i-suspend muna kasi wala rin naman mangyayari, wala naman certification so hindi rin matatapos on the same day. Parang ganoon ang intindi ko... so sa House, ganoon na rin ang nangyari," Cua said.

"Ang timeline na hinahabol namin, sana matapos lahat ito, mapublish sa Gazette at the latest, sana February 23 o at least Feb 24, 'yun ang aming hinahabol na timeline," he added.

On Wednesday, Cua said a request was made seeking to certify the bill as urgent.

The proposed measure aims to provide exemptions to compliance by local government units with the procurement requirements under Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

The amended version of the bill states that a tripartite agreement among local government units, the national government and pharmaceutical companies is still needed in purchasing vaccines.

Prior to the amendments, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco's bill sought to give power to LGUs to directly procure vaccines from manufacturers.

Cua had said a tripartite deal is "unavoidable" in buying vaccines as it will also ensure an orderly procurement of vaccines.

Cua also said the bill intends the creation of an indemnification fund but it is still "upon consultation with stakeholders and the Senate."

"We have to do this as one family together. Narealize namin na mas tama rin pala na magkaroon ng isang definite amount at kung saan kukunin ang pera. At the propoer time, during the period of amendment, malalagyan 'yun ng amount at source of funding," Cua said. — RSJ, GMA News