Opening Statement to the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing regarding the Dengvaxia vaccine

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat.

In December last year or exactly a year ago, together with Chairman Senator Gordon, we conducted the first hearing on the issue following the deaths of two children, who received the first dose of Dengvaxia in April 2016.

Nakalulungkot po na sa halip na ang gobyerno ang siyang magbigay proteksyon sa mga bata, at pangalagaan ang kanilang kalusugan, ay mas lalo pa nilang inilalagay sa disgrasya ang mga bata.

It is the duty of the State to protect and promote the right to health of children--and not to expose them to health risks.

Bilang isang ina na nagkaroon ng anak na nagkasakit ng dengue, alam ko ang hirap na pinagdadaanan ng mga pamilyang naapektuhan ng sakit na ito.

Malaki po ang responsabilidad ng DOH dito, at ayaw po nating umabot po ito sa isang medical disaster.

Obviously, there were shortfalls and gaps in the vaccine's safety profile. It is my prayer that there will be lessons and learning from whatever we have discussed and explained in today's hearing.

To the DOH, and even to other pharmaceutical companies, let us always keep in mind that we are dealing with people's lives and safety should be the paramount concern.

Maraming salamat po.