Palace: Procurement of vaccines by private sector subject to tripartite agreement

Malacañang clarified on Tuesday that the private sector would be required to enter into a tripartite agreement even after President Rodrigo Duterte allowed companies to procure their own supply of COVID-19 vaccines.

“Let me clarify. The importation will be subject to a tripartite agreement,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said at a news conference.

Roque explained the available vaccines were only issued an emergency use authorization, meaning these products cannot be sold commercially.

He also said the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act (Republic Act 11525) mandated the national government to shoulder the cost of adverse effects. This law also provides that private entities may procure COVID-19 vaccines through a tripartite agreement with the government and vaccine manufacturers.

“The government’s signature is important given the indemnity provision of the law,” Roque said.

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. gave a similar explanation.

“The directive of the President is to speed up the process [of procurement]. He said there should be no delay to avoid creating a perception that the government is controlling the procurement,” he said.

Galvez said the vaccine procurement by the private sector will be tax-free and its inoculation drive must follow the government's prioritization framework.

In a televised address Monday night, Duterte said he has ordered Galvez Jr. "to sign any and all documents that would allow the private sector to import at will," regardless of how many doses they want to procure.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry last week asked the government to allow private firms to import and buy their own COVID-19 vaccine shots without restrictions. — RSJ, GMA News