Press Statement of Senator Loren Legarda

On 4 RP firms developing A(H1N1) vaccines

The production of A(H1N1) vaccines in the Philippine manufacturing facilities of four noted pharmaceutical firms is most welcome, with the target release of the vaccines set for this November after the requisite regulatory review and tests to be overseen by the World Health Organization (WHO).

While the vaccines to be produced in the Philippines will be allocated by WHO, I have no doubt that the Philippines will be among the priority-recipients of the vaccines, especially the millions of vaccine shots which the pharmaceutical firms had pledged to donate.

The Philippine government, through the Department of Health, must undertake a mass inoculation project, especially for the poor who would not be able to afford the cost of vaccination against A(H1N1). Still, the DOH must also focus on inoculating the people against other diseases for which vaccines had already been developed.

The production in the Philippines of the A(H1N1) vaccines is yet another proof that Philippine industries are at par with the world's best, ditto with our labor force.

On Biometrics issue may disenfranchise voters

The Comelec must do everything possible to ensure that the 25 million voters lacking biometric information like digitally captured pictures, signatures and thumb prints are not disenfranchised. The Comelec is partly responsible if many voters had not bothered to have their biometrics taken because of an earlier pronouncement by the commission that it was not mandatory under the Poll Automation Law.

But now that the budget for Poll Automation Law had been appropriated, there are reports that voters must have their biometric data taken by the Comelec. The Comelec must undertake a massive information campaign through newspapers, radio and television and come up with a clear and emphatic announcement whether or not those without biometric data can still vote in the 2010 elections. They must be clear about this issue because the confusion on biometrics being a requirement or not in 2010 may result in the disenfranchisement of voters.

On resumption of NDF-GRP peace talks

Talks that may pave the way for the resumption of the peace talks between the National Democratic Front and the Philippine government are most welcome because our ultimate objective is for peace to be achieved in the countryside through genuine social reforms.

The conflict among Filipinos, including those being waged in Mindanao, must stop because only then can we all focus on resolving the myriad of problems our country and people are facing, including dehumanizing poverty, uneven geographical development and social inequality.