Economic managers urged: Prepare ‘national war chest for vaccine logistics’

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker is urging the Department of Finance and the Department of Budget and Management to prepare a “national war chest for vaccine logistics,” saying the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines is “only half of the problem.”

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, who chairs the House committee on ways and means, pointed out that even when the vaccines are procured, local governments and the Department of Health (DOH) may need to improve vaccine delivery.

“Every day counts in this drive for vaccines. The greatest loss of opportunity costs would be if the vaccine were to arrive and we are not able to deliver them to the public as quickly. Procurement is only half the problem. We need to prepare logistics,” Salceda said in a statement.

“The record of the DOH when it comes to the efficient delivery of vaccines for different diseases is mixed. So, the existing structures obviously do not inspire confidence,” he added.

According to Salceda, administration costs will “probably be 10-25% of the total vaccine budget, depending on the challenges to specific areas.”

“Of course, it will cost more to vaccinate Baguio or Legazpi than Manila because of logistics,” Salceda said.

Further, Salceda said that seemingly small issues such as transporting vaccines and people to vaccine sites, and the reliability of supply will be major issues once the rollout begins.

“It is extremely important that we help LGUs plan the time-and-motion for the rollout,” Salceda said.

“Pfizer vaccines, for example, have to be stored in the cold. And the vaccines come in bottles of 4 to 5 doses. If some patients come in late, that wastes the bottle on them. These are seemingly minor issues that will add up if we don’t plan for them,” he added.

Salceda earlier filed House Bill No. 8285 or the Bayanihan sa Bakuna Act which allows the government to realign available funds for logistics.

“I expect the logistics to cost at least another P15 billion. We only extended the validity of Bayanihan 2 and 2020 appropriations, not the power to realign itself. Bayanihan sa Bakuna allows that,” Salceda said.

JPV