President Duterte prohibited customs and airport personnel from opening COVID-19 vaccine supplies.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night announced that customs and airport personnel were prohibited from opening or tampering with the forthcoming supplies of COVID-19 vaccines that were set to arrive in the Philippines.
In a televised address on Monday night, President Duterte said that concerned government personnel must not cause any delay in the transport and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to the people.
Earlier, President Duterte promised the swift and orderly distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to the people, initially to the Philippines’ medical frontliners, seniors, poor citizens, and essential workforce.
The first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines was expected to arrive in the Philippines next week.
“Let me address to every government worker, lahat tayo, do not delay and do not hinder or obstruct the smooth flow na nakikita ninyo, from the time of the arrival [of COVID-19 vaccines] to the time of clearance. Maybe ang trabaho lang ninyo Customs, magtingin. You have no business na buksan-buksan dyan. You’re not allowed to do that. I am not allowing you, anybody diyan sa airpot na magbukas bukas,” President Duterte said.
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On the other hand, President Duterte authorized the deployment of police personnel in order to ensure the safe transport of COVID-19 vaccine supplies across the country.
President Duterte also said that vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. could tap these police escorts in order to find the “fastest” route for the COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
The President reminded other government personnel to know their responsibilities in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, but not interfere with affairs of the task force.
President Duterte said that Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez, and Health Sec. Francisco Duque III would “call the shots” to ensure the smooth distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to the people.
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