Speaker Lord Allan Velasco expressed hope Tuesday that there would be an earlier rollout of COVID-19 vaccines after the proposed measure seeking to expedite its purchase and administration was already passed on third and final reading before the lower chamber of Congress.
“We hope the bill will serve its noble purpose of helping the national government hasten the purchase and administration of the vaccine against COVID-19, which already killed more than 12,000 people nationwide and sent the economy into deep contraction,” Velasco said in a statement.
Voting 225-0-6, lawmakers on Monday approved House Bill 8648 or the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, which aims to hasten the procurement and administration of COVID-19 vaccines without having to go through the long process of public bidding.
Another key provision of the measure is the creation of a COVID-19 National Vaccine Indemnity Fund, which will be used to compensate any individual inoculated through COVID-19 vaccination program, in case of death, permanent disability, or hospitalization confinement.
The said measure was certified as urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte last week.
Velasco has been saying that the next crucible fight against the health crisis is the speedy procurement and effective administration of COVID-19 vaccines to individuals.
“Time is of the essence. Each day of delay is very costly for the government, and leaves many of our vulnerable countrymen exposed to the dangers of this disease,” Velasco said.
The Senate is expected to continue their deliberations on their own version of the measure this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has appealed for patience from the public amid the delay in the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines.
He said China’s Sinovac vaccine may be the first vaccine to arrive in the country after the Food and Drug Administration approved it for emergency use. —KG, GMA News
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