Senators, gov’t czars discuss budget, issues hounding Philippines’ COVID-19 response

Two senior senators and the government's three anti-COVID czars discussed Thursday night the budgetary needs and issues hounding the Philippine pandemic response.

“[Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III] and I had a good meeting with 3 czars last night to discuss red tape issues and the funding needs hounding the country’s fight against COVID. With proper budget and lots of help from the business sector and LGUs, herd immunity may yet still be achieved. Cooperation is key,” Senator Panfilo Lacson said in a tweet Friday.

This was confirmed by Sotto in a text message to reporters.

National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., testing czar Vince Dizon, and Baguio City Mayor and contact tracing czar Benjamin Magalong attended the said meeting, Sotto said.

In a separate message, Lacson said an immediate legislative action against red tape in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is one of the topics discussed during the meeting.

Lacson said they “agreed with a plan to resolve quickly” the bureaucracy in the regulatory agency which hampers the government’s efforts against COVID-19.

“Initially, we plan to insert a provision in Bayanihan 3 to allow suspension of certain provisions of the Data Privacy Act as well as laws related to the regulatory functions of the FDA,” Lacson said.

He specified around 20 requirements asked by the FDA for the application of the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

“It takes forever for them to act, in obvious violation of the [Anti-Red Tape Act], while in India, according to Ambassador (Ramon) Bagatsing, it only takes three days to approve,” Lacson said.

He said the suspension of some provisions of the Data Privacy Act will address the difficulties raised by Magalong.

The czars also asked for P90 billion budgetary support for the vaccine procurement in 2022. The requested budget is planned to be included in the regular appropriations of the Department of Health.

The proposed funds for the vaccines will be itemized in the DOH budget, instead of putting it under unprogrammed funds, to ensure its cash availability, Lacson disclosed.

Some P20 billion for vaccine procurement was also requested to be included in the proposed Bayanihan 3 Law.

However, Lacson suggested realigning the unused appropriations from various departments and agencies as it is allowed under the Constitution and the authority provided by the extended effectivity of the Bayanihan 2 Act.

He also disclosed that the business sector has committed to provide spaces in malls and hotel ballrooms for the establishment of 5,000 vaccination centers.

Of the said number, 1,200 are in Metro Manila to achieve the inoculation of around 58 million by the end of 2021 but still subject to the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines in the country.

The czars told the senators that they are pursuing the timely arrival of the vaccines “around the clock” but in the meantime, simulations are being done to ensure efficiency at the proper time.—AOL, GMA News