MALACAÑANG and the Department of Health yesterday assured the public of a sufficient supply of COVID-19 vaccines and expressed confidence that an escalation in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia would not affect the Philippines’ vaccination program.
Cabinet Secretary and acting spokesman Karlo Nograles said government has secured the vaccine needed to cover primary shots of the priority sector and the general public as well as booster shots for some sectors.
“We’re confident that we have enough vaccine supply now in the country… But we’re also very confident that whatever happens, the tensions happening now in Ukraine, that we, with the international community also, will ensure that the vaccine supplies needed for the Philippines will not be hampered or delayed,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.
Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said at least 225 million doses of vaccines have arrived in the country, with only 171 million doses distributed.
The National Task Force against COVID-19 said that as of February 28, about 225 million doses of vaccines have been delivered, including 2.34 million doses of pediatric vaccines.
In terms of medical supplies, Vergeire said, the Philippines has stocks and has also secured supply commitments from manufacturers.
“We were able to prepare. So hopefully, we will not be affected (by the conflict in Ukraine),” she said in mixed Filipino and English
Oxford Economics and Capital Economics have said the Ukraine-Russia conflict could affect oil prices as well as industrial metals and agriculture commodities, which are among the products traded by the Philippines with Ukraine and Russia.
Meanwhile, 28 more Filipinos in Ukraine are expected to evacuate this week, according to Brigido Dulay Jr.. undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
He said the number is on top of the 13 Filipinos who have been evacuated to Poland from Ukraine.
He said of the 28 to be evacuated, 10 will be coming Ukraine’s western city of Lviv near the Polish border.
Earlier, DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola said there are 40 Filipinos in Lviv waiting to be evacuated.
Dulay also said that aside from the border of Poland, Filipinos who want to be evacuated can also go to the borders of countries surrounding Ukraine where Philippine embassies and consular officials are stationed.
He said DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.has already spoken with foreign ministers of countries surrounding Ukraine, which require visas, to allow Filipinos in even without visa due to the emergency situation.
The DFA said six Filipinos have arrived in Moldova, include a fourth year medical student at the Bukovinian State Medical University, two Filipinos married to Ukrainians and two working for an international organization,
Moldova earlier opened its border to non-visa and non-passport holders fleeing Ukraine.
The DFA said Filipinos who need repatriation assistance near the borders of Moldova and Romania are advised to coordinate with the embassy in Budapest through the following contact details: Budapest PE emergency hotline +36 30 202 1760, Assistance to Nationals Officer Claro Cabuniag at +36 30 074 5656 (mobile) and at +63 966 340 4725 (viber). — With Ashzel Hachero
