Cut red tape: Creation of special team proposed to rush private sector’s COVID-19 purchase

By Billy Begas

Ang Probinsyano Rep. Ronnie Ong on Thursday urged the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) to create a special team to accelerate the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines by private companies.

Ong said he received reports that some companies that wanted to purchase vaccines for their employees are being given the runaround by the DOH and the NTF.

The proposed special team, Ong said will also ensure the immediate delivery of their procured vaccines.

While the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 (Republic Act 11525) entitles private companies to procure vaccines for the exclusive use of their employees, he said it requires them to enter into a tripartite agreement with the DOH/NTF and the vaccine supplier.

This provision is now causing some snag on the initiative of private companies to procure their own vaccines, Ong said.

“Since it would take time to repeal or introduce amendments to RA 11525, it might be best that the NTF would create a special team that would take care of all private sector procurement,” Ong said.

Ong highlighted the need to ensure that the DOH and the NTF would not become an unnecessary obstruction to the private sector’s desire to vaccinate their employees.

“The future of our economy depends on the private sector which is our country’s main economic engine. We have to help them get back on their feet the soonest possible time. Ang problema parang itong NTF pa ang nagiging hadlang ngayon kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay hindi makabili ng bakuna itong ating private sector,” Ong added.

Last week, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has urged the government to allow the private sector to procure COVID-19 vaccines directly from accredited sources without restrictions or conditions.

The PCCI complained that their effort to vaccinate their own employees is being stymied by the tripartite provision in RA 11525.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)