Duterte certifies as urgent vaccine indemnification bills

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday certified as urgent bills that provide for an indemnity fund for Covid-19 vaccines.

The Palace confirmed that the President signed the certification of urgency for Senate Bill No. 2057 and House Bill No. 8648, which seek to establish a vaccine indemnity fund and fast-track the procurement of vaccines.

“The Palace confirms that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed today, February 18, 2021, the memorandum order on the fifteen percent limit on advanced payments for the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines and the certification of the urgency of the bills establishing a vaccine indemnity fund,” Malacañang said in a statement.

“We are confident that both documents would ensure the timely and efficient implementation of the government’s Covid-19 mass vaccination program,” it added.

Malacañang has yet to provide a copy of the signed certification order.

Senate Bill No. 2057 seeks to fast-track the purchase and rollout of Covid-19 vaccines and establish a P500-million indemnification fund for adverse vaccine side effects.

Meanwhile, House Bill No. 8648 seeks to authorize local government units (LGUs) to give advance payments for Covid-19 vaccines.

Certifying the bill as urgent allows Congress to pass the measure on second and third reading on the same day.

/MUF