President Rodrigo Duterte will spend his 76th birthday in Davao today (Sunday) but will head back to Manila immediately to witness the arrival of 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine bought from China’s Sinovac on Monday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said he has already applied for an exemption to the 10-person limit for gatherings under the Enhanced Community Quarantine for the vaccine arrival ceremony.
“The President will attend the arrival of the Sinovac vaccines. That is a go,” Roque said.
The country earlier received 1 million Sinovac doses donated by the Chinese government and 525,600 AstraZeneca doses donated through the Covax Facility.
Monday’s shipment will be the first batch of vaccines procured by the government.
Earlier, Roque said Duterte wishes nothing more for his birthday than “the end to the pandemic.”
“I’m sure the President wishes an end to this pandemic and he wants all of us to go back to our normal life. This means he wants the country to return to high growth rates yearly because his promise is a more comfortable life for all,” he said.
Roque said the President is also determined to continue efforts to fulfil his campaign promise of providing a comfortable life for all Filipinos.
“Despite COVID, I’m sure his birthday wish is for a comfortable life for all to come true and that all of us will be able to overcome this pandemic,” he added.
Duterte usually celebrates his birthdays in his hometown, Davao City, except last year when he opted to spend it in Manila City to oversee pandemic response efforts.
He spent his 75th birthday under isolation in Malacañan Palace.
Last year, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, his former aide, said Duterte can only have fun when the COVID-19 pandemic ends.