Duterte asks US for more COVID-19 vaccines

President Rodrigo Duterte has formally requested the United States to provide more COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines.

Duterte expressed the country's understanding of the 'we first before you' policy but appealed for excess supplies if available.

He emphasized that the Philippines has the financial capacity to purchase vaccines, stating, "We have the money. We buy. We do not ask."

The Philippines has been facing a shortage in vaccine supply, hindering its goal to inoculate 70% of its population.

The nation's vaccination program commenced on March 1, and to date, over 12 million individuals have been inoculated.

Various vaccine brands, including Moderna, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Sputnik V, have been delivered to the country.

As of the report, the Philippines has recorded 1,755,846 COVID-19 cases, with 1,618,808 recoveries and 30,366 deaths.