Manila Bulletin
Lawmaker calls on gov't to allow private firms to import COVID-19 vaccines
Quezon City Representative Precious Hipolito Castelo urged the government to permit private companies to import COVID-19 vaccines tax-free for their employees and families to accelerate the nation's vaccination program.
Castelo stated that this measure is crucial for the government to meet its target of achieving herd immunity by inoculating 70 million Filipinos within the year.
She highlighted that the vaccination program is progressing slowly, with only about 216,000 frontline workers having received their first dose nearly three weeks after the rollout.
The lawmaker expressed concern that at the current pace, it would take years or even decades to reach the vaccination target.
Castelo believes that enabling private businesses to purchase vaccines without taxes for their personnel and their families would significantly speed up the vaccination drive.
She called on the national vaccination task force to expedite tripartite agreements with private firms and local government units willing to procure their own vaccines.
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The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is urging the government to permit the private sector to directly import and purchase COVID-19 vaccines without restrictions or conditions.
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Vice President Leni Robredo urged the government to allow the private sector to purchase COVID-19 vaccines with less stringent requirements.
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Vice President Leni Robredo is urging the government to accelerate the COVID-19 vaccination program, stating that the current pace will take years to achieve herd immunity.
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Private companies are now permitted to purchase COVID-19 vaccines for their employees through a tripartite agreement with the government and vaccine manufacturers.
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The Philippines is actively seeking a consistent and stable supply of COVID-19 vaccines to achieve herd immunity and ensure a "better Christmas" this year, according to the country's vaccine czar.
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