RODRIGUEZ URGES GALVEZ TO SIGN MPAs OF LGUs, PRIVATE SECTOR TO RAMP UP VACCINE SUPPLY
Deputy speaker and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez interpellated vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. yesterday during the hearing of House Committee on Economic Affairs over the reported delays in the signing of multi-party agreements (MPAs) for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines by local government units and the private sector.
During the hearing, Rodriguez questioned Galvez on why the natio...nal government “has refused to sign any of the MPAs” supposedly submitted to the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19. The lawmaker pointed out that COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act (Republic Act No. 11525) was basically enacted to expedite the procurement of the vaccines.
“I am really concerned because…there are pending MPAs with you and you have not signed it for [the] wrong reasons. Reason of supply? If you signed them last March and April, then these MPAs would already have been sent to the suppliers,” the Cagayan de Oro representative told Galvez.
“These are monies of the private entities and the LGUs…so the MPAs should be signed and then help them be able to get good pricing and even help them with the supply. You are saying, ‘Let us throw this to the wastebasket’ — this particular bill that we worked hard [for]…People are dying because of the lack of vaccine,” said an irked Rodriguez.
“I cannot fathom the reason why you have not signed MPAs…Explain to us that inaction and even failure to answer the letters of different local government and companies,” he added.
Galvez repeated to the lawmakers present during the hearing that he had to hold off the signing of MPAs due to lack of supply in other countries, particularly from India, which reportedly suspended vaccine exportation until 2022 following the surge of COVID-19 infections among its own constituents.
Galvez also stated that some vaccine makers are also not inclined to enter into MPAs and the latter cannot be signed “without a direct contract.”
“Kasi maloloko po tayo ng mga manufacturer,” Galvez said, pointing out that this was also in exercise of due diligence.
Economic affairs committee chairperson AMMBIS-OWA Party List Rep. Sharon Garin was also not convinced with Galvez’ explanations, noting that other countries were still able to order a total of two billion vaccine doses despite the shortage.
“The national government is playing God here. They say they want to protect the LGUs, but the LGUs are protecting themselves, they have local autonomy. They know better how to be able to protect their money,” Rodriguez said.
At the end of his interpellation, Rodriguez asked Galvez to reconsider his position to accommodate the overdue MPAs from the LGUs and the private sectors.