Duterte names Galvez vaccine czar

President Rodrigo Duterte has designated National Action Plan vs COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. as the country's vaccine czar.

Galvez will be the sole authority to negotiate, purchase, manufacture, produce, or distribute COVID-19 vaccines for the Philippines.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto welcomed Galvez's appointment but urged him to enlist help from experts beyond the military and from businesses with supply-chain expertise.

Recto stated that the burden of vaccine acquisition is too heavy for one man and that Galvez needs to assemble a "Justice League" of experts.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) welcomed Galvez's designation, with director-general Eric Domingo expressing optimism on working with him.

Duterte expressed a preference for vaccines developed in China, assuring the public of their safety and highlighting China's modern capabilities.

Duterte had previously announced that sufficient funds are already available to purchase vaccines for the immunization of Filipinos.

Members of the House of Representatives also lauded Galvez's designation as vaccine czar.