Rufus seeks probe into delays of Covid-19 vaccine procurement

DEPUTY speaker and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has called for a probe on pending agreements for the procurement of vaccines by local governments and the private sector, citing the need for better transparency from the national government which is a signatory to these deals.

Rodriguez on August 24 filed House Resolution No. 2164 calling for an inquiry on vaccine multi-party agreements (MPAs) by the Committee on Economic Affairs.

Rodriguez said this is a resolution requesting the House of Representatives to investigate the delay of vaccine procurement due to unsigned vaccine orders by the government.

“It is apparent that there are some 300 companies in the private sector and many LGUs which have signed multiparty agreements (MPA) through DOH and NTF to order around 10 million doses of vaccines for their employees and their dependents and for the constituents of LGUs,” said Rodriguez, adding that the problem is, the purchase orders are left unsigned by the NTF.

In his resolution, Rodriguez cited the need for the private sector and LGU to help in the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines to protect our citizens and to ramp up inoculation that will spur the recovery of businesses and the economy of the country.

“Our request for House probe is mainly to ask for transparency on what is happening on our vaccine procurement; and to set the record straight as regards the reported unsigned vaccine orders by the private companies and LGUs,” Rodriguez noted.

Aside from Rodriguez, House Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Economic Affairs Sharon Garin has filed Resolution No. 2154 which likewise requested Congress to look into the issue of unsigned MPA.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri also filed Senate Resolution No. 858 of the same nature, asking the Senate Committee of the Whole on the Vaccination Program to look into the issue.

The MPAs were reported to have been sitting in the desk of vaccine czar Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr, waiting for his approval.

The NTF chief earlier issued a statement on the unsigned MPAs, mainly citing lack of supply on the part of vaccine manufacturers.

As of August 29, doses administered in the whole country totaled to 33,099,392 doses, broken down to 13,784,681 fully vaccinated and 19,314,711 partially vaccinated.

In a statement, Rodriguez called for a strengthened collaboration between the government and private sector as the country aims to achieve herd immunity by December 2021. (PR)