Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19) — The Department of Interior and Local Government on Wednesday ordered local officials to submit a report on how they plan to transport COVID-19 vaccines to their areas to avoid wastage.
A day after DILG was chosen by President Rodrigo Duterte to ensure the optimal transportation and proper storage of temperature-sensitive coronavirus vaccines, the department issued Memorandum Circular No. 2021-052. It directs local government units to firm up their workflow to ensure effective cold chain management, including temperature maintenance for transport, storage, and administration of the vaccines.
“The MC also directs LGUs to report on the transport mechanism for the vaccines to monitor if said modes of transportation are compliant with the requisite safe-handling of the vaccines to avoid spoilage or wastage,” it said in a statement.
Last week, the Quezon provincial police reported that COVID-19 vaccines were nearly wasted when a motorized boat carrying them capsized in the port of Real in Quezon Province after it hit a concrete post. Personnel on board the vessel were able to save the vaccines.
DOH Supply Chain Management Services Director Dr. Ariel Valencia confirmed the incident. He said regional officers will be told to coordinate with other authorities to assist in delivering vaccines to far-flung areas.
“To prevent ulit ang ganiyang pangyayari, alam natin sa lugar na yan malakas ang alon, ating kinokoordinate sa Coast Guard para tayo ay matulungan lalo na po ang hard-to-reach areas,” he said in a media briefing.
[Translation: To prevent another incident, we will coordinate with the Coast Guard knowing that waves are strong in that area. We will ask for their help in traveling to hard-to-reach areas.]
The health official also assured that they also coordinate with facilities receiving the vaccines to ensure that they will be properly stored and deployed.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said vaccine wastage in the country is “very minimal,” following the incident in Cotabato, where over 300 Sinovac doses were spoiled after being left in an unplugged freezer for more than two days.
DILG said it will work to distribute vaccines to more provinces. It will also monitor the performance of each LGU and will call the attention of those who are lagging behind.
