Senators urge gov’t to ensure vaccination law followed as companies get nod to import doses

Senators on Tuesday called on the national government to ensure the proper implementation of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act as private companies get the nod to procure COVID-19 vaccines for their own employees.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night announced that private firms will now be allowed to import COVID-19 vaccines "at will" amid the surge of cases in the country.

In a statement, Senator Risa Hontiveros said that while the President's order is a welcome development, the national government should still ensure the proper implementation of RA 11525 or the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act.

"[We urge the national government to] ensure that purchasing private entities have the capacity to provide post-vaccine care, guarantee that there will be no maldistribution of vaccines and that even MSMEs will be enabled to have access, that it won't affect the national-led vaccination program of the government, and that they will be provided free to the workers," she said.

According to Hontiveros, just because the national government allowed private entities to procure vaccines does not mean it no longer has any responsibility on the vaccination of private companies.

"Hindi naman pupuwedeng ipapasa na lang sa pribadong sektor at lokal na pamahalaan ang national vaccination program sa kabila ng batas nating pinasa, inilaan nating pondo at inutang natin para dito," she said.

(We cannot pass the burden on to the private sector and the local government units the national vaccination program despite the law that we passed and the funds we loaned for this.)

For his part, Senator Sonny Angara said vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. would surely take the cue from the President and facilitate and proposal of private companies to procure vaccines.

He, nevertheless, issued a reminder that these vaccines are still under emergency use authorization.

"The vaccines cannot be sold commercially yet but can be procured by companies for their employees and their families,"  he said.

Senator Joel Villanueva, meanwhile, said that since the national government has allow private companies to procure vaccines, this should be done immediately.

"Huwag na po sana natin ilagay sa 14-day quarantine ang mga private sector requests. Ang kanilang hangarin na mabakunahan ang kanilang mga manggagawa ay dapat ituring na parang bakunang may expiration date," he said.

(Let's not impose a 14-day quarantine on the private sector requests. Their goal to vaccinate their employees should be treated like a vaccine with an expiration date.)

"Alam naman natin na ang pinakamabisang economic stimulus pa rin sa panahon ng pandemya ay ang bakuna laban sa COVID-19," he added.

(We all know that the most effective economic stimulus during the pandemic is still a vaccine against COVID-19.)

Senator Imee Marcos, for her part, thanked the President for striking down the attempt to block certain industries from purchasing vaccines, which she exposed.

"This will accelerate the pace of the government’s mass inoculation program. Whole industries will now be able to provide vaccines not only for their workers but also for other Filipinos through donations stipulated in tripartite agreements among the government, vaccine makers and private companies,” she said.

Several other senators, including the chamber's leadership, have also welcomed the order from the President. — BM, GMA News