Govt. hit for delays in signing tripartite vaccine deals, probe sought

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 17) — A Senate leader is seeking an inquiry into the national government's inaction on tripartite agreements to procure COVID-19 vaccines.

Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri filed the resolution on Tuesday for the Senate Committee of the Whole on the Vaccination Program to look into the concerns of local government units and the private sector when it comes to buying vaccines.

He said they voiced out that the National Task Force Against COVID-19 has not signed at least 42 agreements, leading to the delays in delivery of at least 10 million vaccines ordered by LGUs and private firms.

"They have applied for multi-party agreements with the national government, but these have remained unsigned and haven’t been acted upon," Zubiri said in a statement.

The lawmaker said LGUs and private companies are clueless as to what is causing the delay, when all that they want to do is to help boost the country's vaccination drive.

The NTF and Department of Health have allowed LGUs and private firms to procure shots provided that they enter into tripartite agreements with the national government and vaccine manufacturers.

CNN Philippines correspondent Eimor Santos contributed to this report.