AFP to help in transport, distribution of Covid-19 vaccines

 From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 7, 2020): AFP to help in transport, distribution of Covid-19 vaccines (By Priam Nepomuceno)

File photo

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday said it would help in the transportation and distribution of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines once these arrive in the country.

AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay, in a Laging Handa briefing, said the military would assist especially in the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines in remote areas in the country.

"So initially ang tasking natin dyan is sa transport and distribution ng (Covid-19) vaccines, lalung-lalo na dun sa far-flung areas na hindi talaga maabot ng ibang ahensya ng ating gobyerno (Initially, our tasking is on the transport and the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines especially in far-flung areas that cannot be reached by other government agencies) so we will be guided by the provisions and the guidelines that will be published by the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) so (we'll be) utilizing our air, naval and ground assets," he added.

Last week, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Eric Domingo said Covid-19 vaccines in the country may be rolled out in the country as early as March 2021.

Since Covid-19 vaccines require cold storage, Gapay said the AFP will ensure that these are delivered and administered in a timely manner.

Aside from providing assistance in the transport of vaccines, the AFP can also assist in ensuring security in its distribution.

"Of course, not everyone would have immediate access. The national government has a priority list, first are the front-liners, particularly health workers and medical staff. Then, we have senior citizens and indigent communities and others. Aside from transporting, your AFP would also help ensure peace and order and would provide other services based on the tasking from the IATF," Gapay said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1124013