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Lacson OK with Philippines’ donation of COVID-19 vaccines to Myanmar, African countries
By HANA BORDEY,GMA NewsPresidential candidate and Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday said he favors the Philippine government’s plan to donate its excess COVID-19 vaccine doses to Myanmar and other African countries.
“Kung mag-eexpire din lang at ‘di natin magagamit, tulungan na lang natin kahit ‘di natin kababayan. That’s the right approach,” Lacson said in a press conference.
(If the vaccines are already expiring and our countrymen can no longer use it, then let's help other countries.)
Last Tuesday, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the government is considering donating close to expiry COVID-19 vaccines to other countries.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III confirmed
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Partido Reporma senatorial candidate Dra. Minguita Padilla also welcomed the plan, saying this would help in addressing the inequitable distribution of vaccines across the globe.
“Yes, I agree because UN keeps saying no one is safe until everyone is safe. Ang problema ng mundo ay inequitable vaccine supply. Those who have more, na hindi nagagamit talaga, may (has the) moral duty to donate,” she said.
Right now, Padilla said it is important to inoculate people with the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines to achieve immunity in most part of the world.
“If there are still countries like Myanmar and other countries after that, we will never be safe. We have to take care of the least of our brothers so tama ang gagawin nila (what the government will do is right),” she said.
As of March 6, 2022, the Department of Health said a total of 69,164,769 first doses have been administered while 63,690,890 Filipinos have been fully vaccinated. There were 10,554,093 booster doses given.—AOL, GMA News