Ka Leody vows to invest in R&D so Philippines can develop own vaccines, medicines

Labor leader and presidential candidate Leody de Guzman on Monday said that, if he wins the 2022 elections, he would invest in research and development so that the Philippines can develop its vaccines and medicines.

Asked during the PreSIYENSIYAbles interview hosted by SEDS Philippines if he would invest further in manufacturing vaccines for emerging diseases, de Guzman said, “Oo kasi nakakaawa tayo. Maga-antay tayo nang napakatagal na panahon para makakuha lang ng vaccine. Tapusin lang muna ‘yung ibang bansa at ‘pag may natira, saka lang tayo bibigyan.”

(Yes, because our situation is pitiful. We have to wait a long time just to get the vaccine. Other countries receive them first and if there is anything left, it will be given to us.)

He added that investing in research and development would help fund the machinery needed to make local medicinal products. The Philippines would then no longer be dependent on importation from other countries.

Further, de Guzman said the budget for the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) should be increased to help in developing local tools and systems that would increase the food production and manufacturing system in the country.

The 2022 proposed appropriation for the DOST had been reduced from P25.188 billion in 2021 to P24.338 billion.

“‘Yang budget na ‘yan ay larawan ng walang pagpapahalaga sa pag-develop ng science and technology sa ating bansa. Dahli ang katwiran nila, lahat naman ng ating pangangailangan ay ini-import na. Bakit pa tayo magpapaunlad niyan? Parang token ang halaga ng budget na inilalagay,” he said.

(That budget is a reflection of the lack of appreciation for the development of science and technology in our country. Their reason is that all our needs are being imported. Why else would we develop that? That budget is only a token.)

“Kinakailangan ‘yang itaas na equal sa halaga na tutumbas doon sa plano na pagpapaunlad sa paglikha ng pagkain, pagpapaunlad sa pagbubukas ng ating sariling industriya,” he added.

(The DOST’s budget should be increased equal to the value needed for the development of food production and development in the opening of our industry.)

— DVM, GMA News