MANILA – Private companies can buy coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines via a tripartite agreement with the national government, Malacañang said Monday.
The tripartite deal, according to Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, is the only way for private companies to buy vaccines since there are no COVID jabs that are commercially available as of now.
“Hindi pupuwedeng mawala ang tripartite agreement kasi bagamat pwede na bumili ang lahat ng kumpanya ng bakuna para sa kanilang mga empleyado, wala pa tayong commercially available na bakuna,” Roque said.
“Lahat ng mga bakuna sa ngayon ay sakop lamang ng emergency use authorization kaya kinakailangan pa rin na pumasok ang gobyerno sa pagbili ng mga bakunang ito sa pamamagitan ng tripartite agreements,” he added.
The spokesperson refused to comment on the tripartite deal resolution where private companies must donate a portion of their purchased COVID vaccines to the government, saying vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. will clarify the matter.
Roque said that, private firms “in conflict with public health,” such as tobacco companies, can freely procure vaccines.
“Pwede nang bumili ng bakuna ang lahat ng pribadong kumpanya, kasama ang cigarette companies, ayon sa amended IRR [implementing rules and regulations] ng Republic Act No. 11525 or the COVID-19 Vaccination law,” Roque said.
He added that the supposed administrative order circulating is not yet final and the Department of Health and National Task Force Against COVID-19 are “still in the process of reconciling proposed provisions with other existing laws and guidelines.”/PN
