Sotto, Drilon hit gov’t over 27 million COVID-19 doses expiring in July

LAPU-LAPU CITY, CEBU — Two Senate leaders on Sunday slammed the government over some 27 million COVID-19 vaccines which are set to expire in three months.

In an interview with reporters in Lapu-Lapu City, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the government must hasten the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines, expressing disappointment on the government's "delayed" actions on the country's vaccination program.

"Oh my God. Wow. I think they should distribute it right away nationwide so that those who would want to have boosters can avail of these para 'di masayang ang pera ng taumbayan [so public money won't be wasted]... 'Di bale sana kung donation 'yan, eh hindi donation yan e, [It would be one thing if these were donations, but they're not donations]," Sotto said.

"That's what we have been saying all along. Ang hirap magsabi ng ano, ayoko kasi 'yung 'I told you so' e. Noong una, nagpapaalam ang mga private corporations and nagpapaalam ang mga LGU na bibili na sila, para sila na lang, e ayaw ng national government e. Gusto nila dumaan sa kanila e, 'yun daw usapan government-to-government but it does not happen to other countries so look what's happening now," Sotto went on.

(I don't want to say 'I told you so.' Private corporations and local government units wanted to buy for themselves, but the national government didn't want that. They wanted it to go through them, through government-to-government deals, but it does not happen to other countries so look what's happening now.)

The lawmaker recalled Health Secretary Francisco Duque III's alleged failure to act on the 10 million Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines which were supposed to be delivered to the Philippines in January 2020.

"Delayed eh. 'Di ba sinulatan ng Pfizer si Secretary Duque oh 'di pinansin e [Didn't Pfizer write to Secretary Duque and was ignored?]. We've been saying this all along," Sotto quipped.

Despite the apparent slow inoculation of booster shots, Sotto said vaccination should not be mandatory.

In a separate statement, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon hit the Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) over their "callous disregard for the taxpayers."

“More than two years into the pandemic, the IATF still manages to mismanage the government’s response to the pandemic. It is unconscionable that the vaccines that were purchased through loans could end up in the garbage,” Drilon said.

“It is criminal neglect if they let that happen. I’d like to remind the DOH and the IATF that it is Juan dela Cruz who will pay for these vaccines,” he added.

The minority chief noted that the procurement of the COVID-19 vaccines was among the reasons why the Philippines' debt stock increased from P9 trillion to P12 trillion as of February 2022.

At a P500 per dose rate, Drilon said the Philippines might be wasting around P13.5 billion should the 27 million expire.

These funds could be used to cover the financial assistance for public utility vehicles drivers and operators within the next three months, he added.

Further, Drilon appealed to the government to make use of these COVID-19 vaccines as a considerable number of Filipinos have not yet received their booster shots.

“I hope we are not resting on our laurels. The coronavirus is still within our midst. We must ramp up our vaccination efforts. We have 27 million doses of vaccines that are close to their expiration dates. The DOH and IATF should distribute in the most efficient manner,” Drilon said.

“Huwag naman nating ipamana sa susunod na administrasyon ang expired na bakuna,” Drilon said.

(Let's not let the next administration inherit the expired vaccines.) — BM, GMA News