POC forms vaccine procurement body

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee (POC) Vice President Al Panlilio formed a five-member task force that will oversee the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines for athletes, coaches and officials bound for the Hanoi 31st Southeast Asian Games later this year.

Panlilio was tasked by POC President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino on Wednesday to take the lead in securing the vaccines for members of Team Philippines to the SEA Games set from November 21 to December 2.

Named as task force members were POC board member Dr. Jose Raul Canlas (surfing), Bones Floro (golf) and POC legal chief Atty. Billy Sumagui and general manager Dinah Remolacio

Panlilio also told Businessmirror that the POC will be working with PLDT Chief Procurement Officer Os Dela Paz in the acquisition of the vaccines.

Tolentino said on Wednesday the POC’S plan to secure vaccines for the athletes and coaches following Malacañang’s recent announcement on allowing private companies to purchase vaccines for their workforce.

Tolentino said the POC will purchase the vaccines in the organization’s capacity as a private entity and the funding will be sourced from a $40,000 grant from the Olympic Council of Asia.

Sumagui was also appointed as the Covid-19 monitoring head for Team Philippines to the Tokyo Olympics.

He said a Tokyo Olympics-accredited Philippine-based hospital will be tasked to give members of the Olympic delegation their medical clearance.