Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 24) — The reward for Filipino scientists who could develop the vaccine against coronavirus disease has been increased fivefold.
President Rodrigo Duterte announced in a taped address to the nation aired on Friday that he is “raising the bounty to 50 million,” from the original P10 million.
Duterte said that he might even increase it to P100 million as he sees fit.
The President reiterated that the fight against the highly infectious disease, which has so far downed 462 individuals and sickened almost 7,000 in the country, will only be won once the vaccine is available.
“COVID equals vaccine. Period,” he pointed out.
In March, the Department of Science and Technology said it was eyeing to launch a trial which aims to find a COVID-19 vaccine or drug in the country.
The Philippines, together with the World Health Organization, will soon study which existing drugs could be repurposed to treat the respiratory disease.
In February, the World Health Organization announced the first COVID-19 vaccine could be ready in 18 months, but other health experts are skeptical of this estimate.
Abroad, researchers are racing against time to come up with potential vaccines.
Scientists at the Oxford University’s Jenner Institute in the United Kingdom, for example, have begun trials of a potential COVID-19 vaccine on humans, CNN reported Thursday.
Luzon has been on enhanced community quarantine since March 17. Most except those rendering vital services are ordered to stay at home. The quarantine, which aims to slow the spread of the respiratory infection, was supposed to end on April 30. But the government on Friday announced the extension to May 15 of the lockdown in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon and other COVID-19 high-risk areas.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the following provinces are considered high-risk and will be placed under extended enhanced community quarantine: Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecijia, Pampanga, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Albay, and Catanduanes.
Roque added the inclusion of Benguet, Pangasinan, Tarlac, and Zambales under enhanced lockdown are up for reevaluation by April 30. Meanwhile, the situation in Antique, Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, Cebu, Cebu City, Davao del Norte, Davao City, and Davao de Oro will be rechecked.
