United Laboratories Inc. and three other groups are expected to pioneer vaccine manufacturing in the country as the government prepares a list of support and incentives to help these companies initiate the processes of setting up facilities here.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a late Thursday night briefing with the President that the government decided to make the vaccine manufacturing program another legacy of the current administration.
“In all these interests to locally produce vaccines in the Philippines, these companies asked for government support especially for fast processing of requirements and documents,” he said.
Among the assistance requested was a green lane on the permitting process and guarantee that the government will prioritize procurement of locally-manufactured and locally-prepared vaccines.
“All players and stakeholders that will come here will also face risks. They expressed fear that investments maybe put to naught if the government will choose to import from abroad,” Lopez said.