MINERVA BC NEWMAN
CEBU CITY – The Aboitiz Group joined more than 300
private companies and nearly 40 local government units (LGUs) in a virtual
signing ceremony on January 14 led by Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez, Jr., Presidential
Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
Philippines, Inc. president Lotis Ramin, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque,
and British Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce in support of the
government’s National Immunization Program (NIP) dubbed as ‘A Dose of Hope, A
Pound of Inspiration.’
According to Aboitiz Group president and CEO Sabin Aboitiz that the group stands behind this national collaborative effort to protect Filipinos from Covid-19. Aboitiz Group was among the first 30 private companies to sign the deal with the national government and AztraZeneca during Wave 1.
“We will continue to respond where our help is needed as our country moves forward to a better normal,” Aboitiz said.
Vaccine Czar secretary Carlito Galves, Jr. who led the signing ceremony thank the Aboitiz Group for continuously supporting the government’s immunization initiatives.
“You have been there from day one, ensuring that our fellow Filipinos get the much-needed help in this time of crisis. This is a strong manifestation of leadership that goes beyond profits. Thank you for putting our kababayans first,” Galvez said.
Galvez said that the private sector and LGUs’ role is very crucial in the National Immunization Program as they can help identify, validate, and respond to the needs of priority beneficiaries based on geographical and sectoral strategy.
“We believe that the implementation of our National Vaccine Program will not only be less daunting, but also more efficient and strategic because of the invaluable contribution of the LGUs,” Galvez noted.
Meanwhile, Concepcion said that the tripartite agreement allows for a fair and equitable distribution of the soon-to-be available vaccines as the private sector donates to the government half of the total number of vaccines to be procured and the remaining half goes to its own employees, which is important in aiding the gradual opening of the economy.
“The Philippines definitely will not be left
behind in this fight. We will be
vaccinating our Filipino people, hopefully starting June, July. Seventeen million vaccines will be signed
today, procured, and this is a commitment that they will all be delivered in
the year 2021,” Conception bared.
According to AstraZeneca that it has a zero-profit program in 2021, which means the vaccines are priced as low as possible which is expected to cost around P500 ($10) for two doses.
Ramin said that AstraZeneca is working closely with regulatory authorities to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccine lives up to the highest safety standards and its introduction complies with healthcare regulations in the Philippines.
“We’re working with Philippine FDA on the preparations for a swift yet thorough science-led Emergency Use Authorization review,” Ramin added.
British Ambassador Pruce on the other hand said that the tripartite initiative aligns with the United Kingdom’s aim of ensuring equitable access to safe, effective, and affordable vaccines. “Today marks an important milestone towards achieving that here in the Philippines.”
To date, the Aboitiz Group’s total contribution to the national COVID-19 response effort has reached over P2.2 billion, excluding various payments waived, reduced, extended, or restructured to help customers cope with the impact of COVID-19, underscoring the group’s sustained campaign to help address the urgent needs of front liners and affected communities nationwide. (Photos: PIA/PCOO)
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