Gov’t credits private sector for vax drive

The President had said that the good deeds will not be forgotten

The government expressed gratitude to the business sector for its continued support to the inoculation drive.

National Task Force against Covid-19 Chief Implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. personally thanked business leaders during the “Commitment Ceremony and Ceremonial Vaccination for A4 Group,” saying President Rodrigo Roa Duterte also wishes to send his well wishes to the sector’s remarkable effort, particularly in vaccine procurement for the labor force relieving the government of spending.

Various private initiatives have made the government save billions after private companies and business groups secured millions of doses of vaccines for employees.

“To our private sector, many thanks to your help. The President had said that the good deeds will not be forgotten,” Galvez told business leaders during the launch.

Under project “A Dose of Hope,” the private sector has secured 17 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines, 11 million of which will be donated to local government units (LGU), while the remaining 6 million doses will be given to workers.

Also during the program, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan noted the SM Group has been consistent in addressing the contagion.

“SM Supermalls, which is committed to support the vaccination program, has been working with the LGU in transforming malls into vaccination centers. As of 5 June, SM has provided sites in more than 50 malls nationwide and have inoculated over 250,000, with over 61,000 Filipinos already having their vacvcination completed,” according to Tan.

Journey to recovery

Further, Tan noted that with the start of the inoculation of A4 which is composed of essential economic frontliners, the country can start moving forward, a milestone and a step closer towards the economy’s journey to recovery, making the lives of Filipinos return to normal.

On the other hand, a five-hectare mega vaccine facility is set to be constructed in Paranaque City, conceptualized by Enrique Razon-led International Container Terminal Services Inc. Foundation, which seeks to immunize from 10,000 to 12,000 Filipinos a day to attain herd immunity at the soonest possible time.