Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, chair of the Senate finance panel, said approval of Senate Bill No. 2057 or the proposed COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 is necessary to help the country realize its goal to be COVID-free this year, 2021.
The measure also allows local government units , namely provinces, cities and municipalities to purchase COVID-19 vaccines and ancillary supplies and services but only in cooperation with the DOH and the NTF. The bill also allows private entities to purchase vaccines subject to similar restrictions and conditions set for LGUs. It also exempts COVID-19 vaccines and supplies from customs duties, value added tax , excise tax, donor’s tax and other fees and charges levied on the purchased vaccines.