“Mayroon akong bakuna (I have a vaccine).”
President Duterte gave the announcement today, 31 July 20202 as he assured his audience during a live address on RTV Malacanang, that all things considered, the country might be back to normal by December.
Duterte called for his constituents to be patient (“Magtiis ng konti”) since a CoViD-19 vaccine is under way, and that “by the grace of God”, the Philippines will be back to normal by the end of the year.
The President credits the country’s friendly stance with China for the latest development on the vaccine availability.
“To our credit, we have remained friendly with China,” he said, adding that the Chinese have guaranteed to make the Philippines among the top priorities as recipient of the vaccine once the vaccine is proven safe for distribution.
Among the companies are Sinopharm in China, which is on its third stage of vaccine development, and Moderna and Pfizer, which are on their final stages.
“They have promised that they will make us the priority,” Duterte said.
Despite some companies on their final stages of vaccine development, though, it will take some time before the drug can be rolled out to the general population.
“It has to go through the process – approval of the [Food and Drug Administration] – and so on,” he said.
Meanwhile, according to the President, certain areas in the Philippines will be placed under the General Community Quarantine.
These are: the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Cebu, Lapu-lapu City, Mandaue City, and Zamboanga City.
The rest of the Philippines, meanwhile, will be under Modified GC
