Philippine News Agency
House to pass vax indemnification bill Feb. 22
President Rodrigo Duterte has certified as urgent the proposed law establishing an indemnification fund for adverse effects from COVID-19 vaccines, which is a requirement for the Philippines to receive vaccines from the COVAX facility.
House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco stated that the House of Representatives is set to approve the measure on third and final reading by Monday, February 22.
House Bill 8648 seeks to expedite vaccine purchase and administration for all Filipinos, especially the elderly and marginalized sectors, by providing exemptions for local government units from certain procurement requirements.
Vaccines purchased by LGUs will be exempted from customs duties, value-added tax, excise tax, and other fees, provided they are used for residents and not for commercial distribution.
The proposed legislation includes a PHP500 million fund to compensate individuals who may experience serious side effects or death after vaccination.
Velasco believes the certification will help LGUs transition to normalcy and aid in the economy's reopening, benefiting businesses and re-employing displaced workers.
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Senator Bong Go will urge President Rodrigo Duterte to certify the proposed COVID-19 Vaccine Indemnification Fund Law as urgent.
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The House of Representatives adopted the Senate version of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, allowing the measure to proceed to President Rodrigo Duterte for signature.
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The House of Representatives approved on second reading House Bill 8648, or the proposed Covid-19 Vaccination Program Act, which was certified as urgent by President Duterte.
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The Senate aims to approve the measure seeking to establish a vaccine indemnity fund and expedite the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines on second and third final reading on Monday.
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Senator Sonny Angara clarified that an indemnity law for COVID-19 vaccines is not being proposed because Filipinos might get sick from the vaccines, but rather because manufacturers require it to be shielded from liability for any serious adverse effects.
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