Photo Release

On the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines: Sen. Francis Tolentino, during the hybrid plenary session deliberating on the proposed budget of the Department of Trade and Industry Wednesday, November 18, 2020, stresses the urgency to procure Covid-19 vaccines which pharmaceutical firms Pfizer and Moderna have developed and announced as ready to be rolled out. Tolentino said the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Intellectual Property Office (IPO), Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) and Department of Health must closely coordinate to ensure availability of affordable and quality medicines and vaccines for Filipinos. The senator also underscored the need to create a ‘vibrant local pharmaceutical industry’ that would be beneficial for the Filipinos.