Indemnification vital to ensure more vaccine supply, generate demand—Galvez

During a Committee on Finance hearing on a bill that aims to expedite vaccine procurement, Galvez explained having a provision of indemnification under the law will greatly affect the volumes that vaccine producers are willing to give the country.

Duterte to certify as urgent bill relaxing procurement rules on LGUs purchasing COVID-19 vaccines

President Rodrigo Duterte will certify as urgent the passage of a bill relaxing procurement rules on local governments in the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines, his spokesman Harry Roque said Thursday. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez said in a Senate hearing on Thursday that the presidential certification is in the works.

Despite delays, gov't vows to procure ASF vaccines to ensure food security

The Philippine government will also work on procuring vaccines against the African swine fever as part of the plan to ensure food security, according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. He added that local producers can insure their hogs so they can recover their investments in case the virus attacks their farms.

Palace: MVIS no longer mandatory

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered not to make mandatory the Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS), Malacañang said Thursday. The decision came after the Senate committee on public services earlier recommended the temporary suspension of the operations of Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (PMVICs) as more issues and questions were raised during the panel's hearing on Tuesday.

Philippines to get COVID-19 shots from China's Sinovac on Feb. 23

The Philippines will get an initial batch of 600,000 COVID-19 vaccine shots from China's Sinovac Biotech on Feb. 23, Malacañang said on Thursday. 

Two new COVID-19 variants found in England under investigation

Two new COVID-19 variants, one of which has been classified as a "concern", have been identified in England with some similarities to the South African and Brazilian variants, a government advisory scientific committee said on Tuesday.

House Speaker urges national gov't to allow LGUs to directly buy COVID-19 vaccines

Velasco, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Paduano have filed House Bill 8648, which would authorize local government units to procure their own vaccines without public bidding, as long as they are registered or allowed emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration.

Malacañang pushes for food security summit

Malacañang is calling for a food security summit between local government units and the private sector to discuss current issues affecting the agriculture and fishery sectors. The summit also seeks to develop a national food security plan.

Philippines sets 2023 target to finish COVID-19 vaccination rollout

The Philippines is aiming to complete its COVID-19 vaccination program by 2023, a health official said Wednesday, amid global competition of the highly sought-after coronavirus shots. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the government had until 2023 to inoculate its targeted population in case vaccine deliveries would be delayed.

DTI: MSME loans worth more than ₱2 billion approved

The Department of Trade and Industry, through the Small Business Corporation, has approved a total of ₱2.35 billion loans under its program that targets to help small businesses restart amid the pandemic. In a statement on Wednesday, the DTI said this translates to a total of 21,695 loan applications under the Bayanihan COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises program.

Economists: No stagflation yet, but higher prices of goods to linger

Despite an inflation spike in January and fears of the recession wrapping around the first quarter of 2021, the Philippines is nowhere near a dreaded stagflation, or a combination of high inflation and GDP contraction, even as prices were expected to rise quicker throughout the year, according to economists

Hotels appeal to DOT to allow regulated meetings, events to keep industry afloat

The Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) recently made a position paper addressed to DOT Undersecretary for Legal and Special Concerns Edwin Enrile. In the document, the 150-member hotel group proposed guidelines to adjust rules for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions), socials, and wedding events under the general community quarantine, assuring that they will continue to comply with government measures.

AirAsia seeks gov't approval to handle COVID-19 vaccine shipments

AirAsia said it recently applied to be a "Dangerous Goods carrier", and is now in the process of getting authorization from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to participate in the rollout of vaccines in far-flung provinces.

First batch of COVID-19 vaccines may arrive in PH on Feb. 13 – DOH

DOH spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire confirmed to CNN Philippines that 13 Feb was the indicative date agreed upon by the government and the organizers of the World Health Organization-led COVAX facility, which will be supplying the initial 117,000 Pfizer doses to the country. Vergeire, however, clarified they are still waiting for the final confirmation from COVAX.