WHILE the people endorse transparency in the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, they cannot second lines that may adversely affect government efforts to address the pandemic.
After all, these procurements by the national government are done through multi-lateral agreements with fund managers, such as the Asian Development Bank and World Bank.
Besides, President Rodrigo Duterte’s commitment has never changed – this administration will do everything to ensure that the country’s national vaccination program is “safe, sure and secure.”
In fact, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go was quick to express his trust that as the vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito Galvez will always uphold the interest of the Filipino people.
Note that Galvez, like DILG Secretary Eduardo Ano and other high ranking civilian government officials, is a retired military general.
“Magtiwala po tayo sa ating gobyerno. I am personally aware na bago pa man nagsimula sa social media ang mga kuro-kuro at haka-haka, masusi na po ang pagtrabaho ng mga opisyal…to get the best for our country and for every Filipino,” he added.
We agree with Go, a former Special Assistant to the President (SAP), that the people may ask Galvez if he can disclose the costs of the vaccines at the “appropriate time.”
And as chairman of the Senate committee on health, the senator from Mindanao acknowledged that the government is mandated to ensure proper and full accounting of public funds.
Like other well-meaning Filipinos, state agencies involved in the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines ought to be transparent and prudent in utilizing the country’s limited financial resources.
But despite the continued exchange of “verbal bullets,” there’s that urgent need to work together for the benefit of the suffering people while the government addresses the pandemic.
