Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 9) – The governor of Ilocos Sur is appealing to the national government for more COVID-19 vaccines as the province experiences a surge in cases due to the highly contagious Delta variant.
“We do get vaccines from DOH, but the numbers are not enough, lalo na ngayon dumating na ‘yung surge sa Ilocos Sur. Talagang umaapaw na mga ospital namin,” Governor Ryan Singson told vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. during a meeting with the House Committee on Economic Affairs.
Singson said they had to close their provincial hospital to other patients as they can now only serve COVID-19 positive individuals.
The governor said they even bought refrigerators so hospitals can store more vaccines but that they are barely receiving supplies from the national government.
He added that over 6,000 residents who received their first dose of Gamaleya’s Sputnik-V shot have yet to receive their second dose past the due date.
Singson said even if the DOH says protection is good for three to six months, the people cannot be blamed for being scared, especially since the province has 11 confirmed Delta variant cases.
Ilocos Sur apparently signed a tripartite deal to buy Sinovac vaccines, but Galvez has yet to sign the document.
“Paperwork ginawa namin lahat, but then again walang [We did all the paperwork, but then again, no] feedback from the national government, so we’re at a loss. We don’t know what to do,” Singson said.
This is precisely what the committee meeting was about—to question why local government units and private companies are still facing difficulty getting their hands on vaccines.
Calapan City Mayor Arnan Panaligan said he signed a multi-party agreement (MPA) with Sinovac which was also forwarded to the vaccine czar’s office months ago.
Panaligan, who is secretary general for the League of Cities of the Philippines, said at least 26 other cities have attempted to get vaccines through multi-party deals.
“The cities agreed to allocate a portion of our budget to procure medicines. And we did that not to compete with the national government, not because we do not trust the national government, but because we want to help the national government,” Panaligan said.
Galvez, meanwhile, said lawmakers and LGUs should understand that it is the manufacturers’ decision not to enter MPAs.
He also cited pricing and supply issues.
“Even if we have signed our contract in May or June, no supply will come and will help our governors vaccinate because the supply will come indefinitely in 2022. There is an indefinite ban of shipments of vaccines from India,” Galvez explained.
Government data show around 15.8 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated. This is only 20% of the initial 70% target population needed for herd immunity.
With the Delta variant, authorities have increased the 70% threshold to 90%.
[Translation: We do get vaccines fom the Department Health, but the numbers are not enough, especially that there is now a surge in our area. Our hospitals are really full.]
