The Philippines saved USD 700 million in COVID-19 vaccine purchases, according to vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.
Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Monday night claimed that the Philippine government was able to save USD 700 million for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines through their negotiations.
In a televised briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night, Galvez said that the country saved USD 700 million in the COVID-19 vaccine deals as they’re able to bring down the offer prices by about half.
“Doon po napakita na maganda po ang presyo natin na nakuha. Halos lahat po ng prices, advantage po tayo,” Galvez said.
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Galvez added that the COVID-19 vaccine purchase deals were “clean” and that they’re following stringent measures. According to him, he didn’t handle any funds related to the negotiation for the procurement of the COVID-19 vaccines.
He also said that they knew that the bank transaction was clean and they won’t have what they called “corruption” because of the integrity of the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.
Moreover, Galvez said that the World Health Organization had convinced vaccine manufacturers to make the COVID-19 vaccines available at no profit, adding that pharmaceutical companies agreed on a “no profit, no loss” principle.
“‘Yong ginawa po nating negosasyon, napaka-deliberate po at tsaka maganda po talaga. In fact, mapapangako ko po sa ating mahal na kababayan na ang lahat ng mga negosasyon at cost. Meaning, almost no profit,” Galvez said.
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