Duterte says vaccinating the poor is government’s sacred duty

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday called for the prioritization of the poor in the government's COVID-19 vaccination program, saying such is the government's sacred duty.

"This is really for the poor, because if they get sick, they do not have the money. Let us be real about it," Duterte said.

"Wala silang pambili (they cannot afford medicine). They are at the mercy of their poverty. It is the sacred duty of the government to look after them," he added.

The Philippines has 7.1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine supply so far.

Over three million Filipinos have already been vaccinated against COVID-19, according to vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. in his latest report to Duterte.

The poor and low income families are listed fifth in line in the vaccination program after health workers, elderly, persons with comorbidities and economic frontliners or those who physically report to work amid quarantine restrictions.

"I am no elitist, I have equal duty to serve everybody," the President added. —KG, GMA News