Duterte says PH doomed without COVID-19 vaccine in 6 months

President Duterte stated that the Philippines is doomed if a vaccine for COVID-19 is not developed within six months, as the allocated funds for the crisis response will not last.

He emphasized that the P275 billion budget for addressing the pandemic, while not for personal gain, would be depleted quickly.

The President warned that without a vaccine, the country would face widespread death and economic paralysis, making it impossible to leave homes or work.

Duterte expressed that his swift decision-making regarding the pandemic threat, which was ahead of many other countries, was beneficial for the Philippines.

He mentioned that he had been following the coronavirus situation and studying it early on.

The President also recalled his initial reluctance to impose a travel ban from China, a decision that was also echoed by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III at the time.

Duterte asserted that he had been upfront about the virus from the start, warning the public about an impending disease with no immediate cure other than the body's own defense.