Lawmaker, PCCI urge gov't to allow tax-free vaccine imports

A lawmaker and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) have called on the government to allow private companies to import COVID-19 vaccines tax-free.

Quezon City Representative Precious Hipolito Castelo said this would help expedite the country's vaccination program, which is progressing slowly despite vaccines from China and WHO arriving almost three weeks ago.

Only around 216,000 frontline workers have received their first dose of the vaccine so far according to DOH figures.

PCCI president Benedicto Yujuico emphasized that allowing private companies to import vaccines would help keep pace with neighboring countries which are ahead in vaccination efforts.