Vaccines are finally here!

“All branches of government, all sectors in society and all our partners in the international community must work together and cooperate to fortify our response against the Covid-19 pandemic.

My fellow Filipinos, the day we have been long awaiting is finally here! Yesterday, we welcomed the arrival of 600,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine from our neighbor, China. The vaccines have finally arrived on our shores.

This is the first batch of vaccines to be received by our country. This batch is made possible by the generous donation from the Chinese government. It will be able to accommodate 300,000 individuals who will receive the vaccines based on the list provided by the National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups. This is also what has been agreed upon by President Duterte and President Xi Jinping, as reported by Foreign Minister and State Councilor Wang Yi.

Indeed, this development is a testament to the enduring friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and China during these difficult times. We are very grateful for this generous gesture.

While we continue to work hard to acquire more vaccines, I am pleased to say that the arrival of the first batch will finally jumpstart the vaccination program of our government. We want this to be done in a timely and orderly manner.

Today, 525,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from the Covax Facility are also arriving in the country. I was able to seek the help of British Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce last Wednesday who assured us that he will assist in expediting the delivery of the said vaccines from the United Kingdom to the Philippines.

Because of President Duterte’s independent foreign policy, we are able to forge and nurture relations with many countries and multilateral organizations, resulting to closer and working partnerships in defeating the pandemic.

Yes, this is just the beginning. We recognize the need to do more. We need to accelerate the vaccination program in a safe, sure and secure manner. I know that our frontliners and fellow government workers are working very hard so we can have the best vaccination rollout for our country. I commend all of them, through the leadership of President Duterte and Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr., for their leadership and hard work.

On my part as senator, I will continue to support and champion legislation to ensure as much as possible that our people will be able to receive safe and effective vaccines, based on the rollout program.

In fact, last Friday, President Duterte signed the Covid-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, which I also co-authored and co-sponsored. The law will expedite the vaccine procurement process, empower LGU (local government unit) to secure vaccines for their constituents, and create an indemnity fund in case of possible adverse effects of the vaccines, which is a requirement of vaccine manufacturers.

Right now, a whole-of-nation approach is important. All branches of government, all sectors in society and all our partners in the international community must work together and cooperate to fortify our response against the Covid-19 pandemic. This must also include the equitable distribution of vaccines across the country.

While we work hard to secure vaccines, we also remain committed to helping struggling Filipinos and unburdening them from the challenges caused by the pandemic and other crisis situations.

On Monday, 22 February, we helped informal market vendors and ambulant vendors in Barangays La Huerta and Baclaran in Parañaque City. By Wednesday, 24 February, our team returned to Samal Island to help fisherfolks, as well as assisted flashflood victims in Sto. Tomas in Davao del Norte. On Thursday, 25 February, we gave assistance to the patients at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center; and 397 employees of the Veterans Golf Club in Quezon City. Then by Friday, 26

February, employees of the Region 1 Medical Center, as well as several market vendors, boat drivers and operators, TODA and PUJ drivers in Dagupan, Pangasinan were also provided assistance. Meanwhile in Cebu City, we have extended assistance to 150 boxers who were also affected by the pandemic. Our team also returned to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center to provide assistance to 200 health workers.

Also, we have not forgotten our kababayans who continue to build back better after the devastation brought by typhoons last year. We have assisted thousands of beneficiaries from Delfin Albano and Tumauini in Isabela province; San Luis and Dinalungan in Aurora province; Claveria, Sanchez-Mira, Lal-lo, Buguey, Aparri, Peñablanca, and Tuguegarao in Cagayan province; and in Pulilan, Bulacan.

Also, we continued to help our kababayans who have been affected by other disasters, such as fire incidents. We have helped out 10 families affected by fire in North Fairview and

Greater Fairview Quezon

City. On the same day, we also provided assistance to 1,461 fire victims in Barangay Parola in Tondo,

Manila.

In all these visits, we provided assistance in the form of meals, food packs, masks, face shields, and vitamins. Select individuals were also given bikes, shoes and tablets for their transportation and blended learning needs. We also made sure that proper health protocols were being followed to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

I likewise assured our people, particularly the poor and vulnerable, that when the vaccines arrive in their communities, they will be prioritized alongside our frontliners. As I have said numerous times before, no Filipino will be left behind toward recovery. We must include them, especially those who cannot afford to do so.

My fellow Filipinos, let us remain vigilant for our health as we commence the rollout of our vaccination program. Yes, the vaccines are already here, but we must not be complacent as the virus is still around. Let us continue to observe health protocols as we go about our daily lives.

But for now, let us celebrate this triumph in our journey toward recovery. Let us remain careful and optimistic as we claim more victories down the road for a better and healthier country for all. Tuloy po natin ang ating bayanihan, kababayan!

We heal as one people. We recover as one nation.

“Indeed, this development is a testament to the enduring friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and China during these difficult times.