Vaccines’ transfer to pol’s house: Parallel probe sought

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Northern Samar Gov. Edwin Ongchuan has ordered the provincial health office to look into the alleged transfer of 15 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from the provincial vaccination center to the house of an unnamed politician.

Ongchuan said the probe would be parallel to the investigation of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, which started on Friday last week.

The National Bureau of Investigation is helping the provincial board and the police in the probe.

Maryjane Morales of the provincial vaccination team testified during the provincial board hearing that only 35 of the 50 doses scheduled for vaccination on June 20 were administered due to the non-appearance of the recipients.

Morales said that she and the vaccination personnel turned over the unused vaccines to Dr. Catherine Miral. They said they were not aware of what happened after the turnover of the doses that day.

The vaccines were reportedly brought to the house of a politician in Catarman, where the jabs were administered to household staff, including security escorts.

Ongchuan assured the public that he would not tolerate any abuse of authority or breach of protocols.

“While the provincial government is eager to vaccinate as many of its constituents to achieve herd immunity... it also recognizes the rules on vaccination as set forth by the National COVID-19 Task Force,” the provincial government said in a statement.

Vaccine deployment plans

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, in a memorandum circular issued on Tuesday, ordered local chief executives to institutionalize vaccine deployment continuity plans in their areas.

Año said the plan should ensure stable lifelines for vaccination sites, security plans against human-induced threats, systems for emergency management, contingency measures and evacuation plans.

It should also detail vaccine logistic plans, identify alternative vaccination sites and other measures to ensure the continuity of vaccine deployment, he said. – Emmanuel Tupas, Romina Cabrera