A pandemic awakened people across the globe. The lifestyles were affected, and the economy of every country have been greatly affected too. People used to live and communicate with others in they everyday routines, but because of the pandemic, they have to stay at home. The jobs are everywhere, but because of the pandemic, only those who can go outside can continue to their jobs. Hunger, fear, and depression are in the air and not just the virus. COVID-19 have affected everybody, wherever they are and whoever they are. Nobody escaped the crisis. But, the most affected countries are those in poverty. The people are scared and they only put up their faith to their leaders. People have to stay at home in able to stop the spread of the virus. They have to leave their jobs. They have to pause the lives they used to live. They have to hold on to the promises of their country leaders and make them decide of what to do next.
Different countries’ best scientists and doctors worked so hard to make drugs and vaccines to be used to fight against the virus. And most countries have succeeded to make it. They have created a vaccine for the virus. There are 172 countries who engaged on COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility, wherein as of December, there are only two approved (American and China). Because of this, different countries can now decide where to acquire vaccines for their people and the Philippines will eventually buy too, for the Filipinos.
Everyone is aware that the Philippines is not as rich as the other countries, but the country leaders promised that they will buy vaccines for the Filipinos now matter what it takes and no matter how much it takes. In addition to this, the country took more loans to fund the vaccines. They have the target of P72.5 billion budgets but it will take a lot of loans. The first problem that the country will face and is facing now is the budget for the vaccine. We all know that we cannot afford the vaccine for the 100 million Filipinos, and we needed to ask for help or risks taking loans. This is the first problem in the rollout of the COVID-19 Vaccines in the Philippines.
Since people are waiting for the vaccines in the country, I think that the second problem would be in the distribution of it. Why? Some people would get it for free, and since the number of doses are limited, there may be people who will buy more numbers than they needed it. They will take vaccines more, because they can use their money to cover it up. Corruption is always present in every government and I see every flaws in it. There may be problems in the distribution, but the people in higher positions might be behind it. People trust the government but these politicians seem to use it as an advantage to do everything they want. Politicians seem to use this kind of crisis to corrupt and sabotage the people’s money and rights. These two problems mentioned are maybe the problems that Filipinos are thinking that might happen too. The problem in the budget for the vaccine has been justified by the article that says, the Philippines has the target of 72.5 billion pesos fund for the doses of the vaccines but only 2.5 pesos billion had been guaranteed. This is why the problem will always be in the budget since the Philippines cannot afford it just like other richer countries. Also, the problem in corruption will also arise from this matter since as we can see, the budget concerns a lot of money so politicians will do everything that will make them benefit from it. This crisis is a burden to the people of the country, but an opportunity for the politicians who wanted to take advantage of their positions.
Suggestions and Recommendations
In order to solve the problem in the budget for the vaccines, they have to risk taking more loans if they really wanted to distribute vaccines to every Filipinos.
The answer to the problem in the fund could be an interview to the Filipinos about the vaccines, of whether they want to take it or not. In this matter, they can determine the number of doses needed to distribute.
The departments that will handle the operation in the distribution of vaccines should make sure that they are in control and do not let corruption compromise everything.
The government officials should really seek for other options in the distribution, that will be budget-friendly.
Taking loans would be an answer to the problem in budget, and asking for supports to other countries who are willing to help.
Trusted officials should be the people behind the operation.
The distribution of the vaccines should be well-monitored.
Let people know the real and latest updates of the vaccine, so they will be left knowledgeable about it.
The background, purpose, and even the side effects of the vaccine should be explained well, maybe medically but also in a way that every Filipino would understand.
