MANILA, Philippines (Update 2, 11:41 p.m.) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night said he will allow private firms to import COVID-19 vaccines themselves, a departure from the policy that procurement can only be done through tripartite deals involving the government and the pharmaceutical firm. Duterte said that government procurement of the COVID-19 vaccines has hit a snag because of tight supply. "I have ordered [Secretary Carlito] Galvez to sign any document that will allow the private sector to import (vaccines) at will," Duterte said, referring to the former general in charge of vaccine procurement. A million doses of COVID-19 vaccines arrived in the Philippines on Monday afternoon, but the president said the amount is just enough for medical frontliners. It is unclear whether an order from the president is enough to allow the private sector to import vaccines.

Source: Philippine Star March 29, 2021 15:04 UTC