President Rodrigo Duterte holds a vial of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine after he welcomed the arrival of 3 million doses of the jab donated by the United States at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Screenshot from RTVM
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is hoping that individuals who are undecided about being vaccinated against COVID-19 would change their minds now that more and more U.S.-made vaccines are arriving in the Philippines.
During his speech in welcoming the arrival of over 3 million Moderna COVID-19 vaccine doses donated by the United States government, Duterte said the government “will entice” Filipinos to get inoculated with the vaccines given by the U.S.
“I know that it is the sentiment of America that the vaccines that will be given to the Philippines should go first to those who have least in life. ‘Yung mga mahirap. The poor ones who cannot afford,” he said.
“For those who do not want to be vaccinated, we will try to entice them with the vaccines given by the United States,” the President added.
The delivery of the 3 million Moderna vaccines is the third shipment of vaccines donated by the U.S. to the Philippines, following the delivery of 3 million doses of the Johnson&Johnson vaccine, which was split into two batches.
Duterte thanked the U.S. government as well as the global initiative COVAX facility for the donation of the vaccine doses. He likewise expressed gratitude for the donations of medical supplies, equipment, and support for the Philippines’ COVID-19 response.
“All of these have helped, definitely will continue to help the Filipino people. Indeed, the cooperation between the Philippines and U.S. in overcoming the pandemic highlights the strong and deep friendship between our two countries,” he said.