Drilon questions budget, plans for COVID-19 vaccine

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon expressed concerns about the insufficient budget for COVID-19 vaccines, noting that only P2.4 billion is allocated in the proposed P4.5 trillion 2021 national budget.

Drilon stated that this amount is grossly insufficient and does not align with the government's aim to purchase 24 million vaccines once available next year.

He also highlighted that the additional P10 billion for vaccines under unprogrammed funds in the general appropriations bill is uncertain, as it depends on exceeding revenue targets which no economist would predict.

Drilon emphasized a lack of clear distribution plan for administering the vaccines.