MALACAÑANG stood firm on the need for private businesses to seal a tripartite agreement with the government for them to be able to buy COVID-19 vaccines for their employees.
Reacting to statements issued by members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the government is not prohibiting anyone from procuring COVID-19 jabs, adding that those selling tobacco, infant milk formula, soda and liquor are allowed to buy vaccines for their employees.
He, however, insisted that private businesses have to enter into a tripartite deal with the national government and the vaccine manufacturer.
Legislators earlier took a swipe at vaccine czar Carlito Galvez for allegedly preventing private businesses engaged in the manufacture and sale of “sin products” buying vaccines directly from international biopharmaceutical firms.
“Isa pa pong paglilinaw, puwede na pong bumili ng bakuna ang lahat ng pribadong kumpanya, kasama ang cigarette companies. This is under the amended IRR of the COVID-19 Vaccination Law,” Roque told reporters.
He, however, stressed that such deals by private entities should be done in a tripartite agreement.
“Hindi po puwedeng mawala ang tripartite agreement [kasama ang gobyerno],” he added.