TALK TO THE PEOPLE OF PRES. DUTERTE ON COVID-19 HIGHLIGHTS

January 18, 2021

PH GOT ‘BEST PRICE’ FOR COVID-19 VACCINES: GALVEZ

• Vaccine czar, Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr., says the Philippines was able to secure COVID-19 vaccines at the best price, saving some $700-million due to negotiation efforts.

• “Maipapangako ko po sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan na lahat ng negosasyon, at cost, meaning, no profit. At noong kinompute ko po lahat ng brand, lumalabas po na naka-save po tayo ng $700-million,” Galvez said during the briefing.

PRRD TO GALVEZ: STICK TO VACCINE ACQUISITION ‘GAME PLAN’

• President Rodrigo Duterte, meanwhile, told Galvez to stick to his “game plan” on the country’s COVID-19 inoculation campaign despite issues raised by lawmakers during congressional probes.

• “I’m telling now General Galvez. Yung game plan niya, sundin niya. With or without the investigation, proceed and implement what we plan to do,” Duterte told Galvez.

DUQUE CALLS ON FILIPINOS TO TRUST GOV’T ON VACCINE PROCUREMENT

• Amid issues on vaccine deals, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, called on Filipinos to trust government officials who are at the helm of vaccination procurement efforts.

• “Pagkatiwalaan naman natin ang mga opisyal ng ating gobyerno dahil talaga naman pong ipinaglalaban ang interes ng mamamayan,” Duque said.