PRRD wants faster processing of permits for local vax production

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday called for the speedy processing of government permits of local pharmaceutical companies that intend to produce locally-made vaccines.

In a pre-recorded meeting with Cabinet members, Duterte appealed to concerned agencies to ensure that the issuance of government permits will not encounter any delays.

This, after Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, in the same meeting, said its investments promotion agency is in discussion with four companies for the local production of Covid-19 vaccines.

Lopez emphasized the need for cooperation of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the speedy issuance of permits for local drugmakers to put up facilities to produce vaccines.

“Greenlane on government permits. They will subscribe to all requirements and submit all documents, kinakailangan lang ma-prioritize para mapabilis yung proseso ng pag put up ng planta dito (they just need to be prioritized so that there will be faster processing in putting up plants),” he said.

Duterte recognized the importance of producing locally-made vaccines to ensure the country will not be dependent on imported products.

“Historically, Philippines one of the laggard, sabi nila (they say), is because there’s a lot of paperworks that’s why we cut processes down to the lowest level and ask everybody to cooperate,” Duterte said.

He said the faster processing of permits can be easily achieved if given priority.

“Madali lang man ito kung trabahuin mo ito (This will be easy if you work on it). I don’t think it would take about one hour,” he added.

Should there be any delays, Duterte said he would personally step in if the processing of permits take longer than three days.

“The moment I am notified that the papers are with you and have been there for three days, ako mismo lalabas ako puntahan kita dun sa opisina mo. Kukunin ko ang papel at ako pipirma para sayo (I will go there in your office. I’ll get those papers and sign them for you),” he said.