MANILA, Philippines — The government will stick with its vaccine roll out plan, Malacañang said Tuesday after the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) suggested letting the Red Cross transport vaccines instead of the military.
“Unang una, we have a rollout plan. Yun po ang masusunod kahit anong sabihin ng CPP-NPA,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online briefing when sought to comment on CPP’s suggestion.
(First of all, we have a rollout plan. That will be followed no matter what the CPP-NPA says.)
“Number two, I guess they have freedom of expression but they are tagged as a terrorist group so parang, they can express their opinion but hanggang doon na lang po yun.”
(Number two, I guess they have freedom of expression but they are tagged as a terrorist group so they can express their opinion but it ends there.)
“Ang ating rollout plan po ay binuo po yan sa tulong po ng mga pangunahing eksperto and it will remain.
(Our rollout plan was crafted with the help of experts and it will remain.)
The CPP suggested that transportation and distribution of Covid-19 jabs especially in interior areas be handled by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Philippine Red Cross and other civil humanitarian agencies.
The NPA will open humanitarian corridor for the safe and unimpeded transport of Covid-19 vaccines. pic.twitter.com/UMhqulBBIO
— Marco L. Valbuena (@marco_cpp) February 9, 2021
It also assured that a “humanitarian corridor” will be opened for safe and unimpeded transport of Covid-19 vaccines after President Rodrigo Duterte appealed to allow the jabs move “freely and safely” in parts of the country.
The President has repeatedly said that he wants the military to lead the distribution of the Covid-19 vaccines in the country once it becomes available. He also wants police stations and military camps to be used as vaccination sites.
Meanwhile, the military has committed to help transport vaccines around the country especially in remote areas.