Why they can’t

Today’s article is about why embassies of foreign governments can’t provide COVID-19 vaccination to their citizens in spite of the fact that many of them represent first or second world countries which are actually already giving COVID vaccines to their citizens at home.

In case you are one of those Filipinos who can’t understand why foreign governments can’t provide COVID-19 vaccination to their citizens in the Philippines, here are a few points to consider. As a rule vaccination programs worldwide are under the direct supervision and sole authority of the host government, particularly with COVID-19.

Although many local officials such as mayors and governors in the Philippines have been announcing that they will be buying their own vaccines for their constituents, they have to do it through the government, not to mention the fact that no vaccine maker, especially after the Dengvaxia controversy, would be willing to sell to any local government or company directly. All LGUs as well as private corporations will have to course their purchases through the Philippine government.

That’s why Joey Concepcion and his Band of Brothers in the business sector still had to split their purchases with the Philippine government. This is the very reason why my hard working Comrade in the House of Representatives, Congressman Rufus Rodriguez, has filed a bill that will allow private companies or groups to directly purchase vaccines from manufacturers.

However, we cannot deny that the bulk sale of vaccines to one entity, the Philippine government in this case, insures that the buyer has legal power and the ability to provide insurance or protection from suit or claims for vaccine manufacturers once the government takes possession and initiates use of the vaccines. One buyer or party also simplifies the transaction to one party, minimizes complications in the transport, refrigeration and distribution of the vaccines, etc. Selling to multiple groups in one territory would be a legal and logistical nightmare. In short, it is to the advantage of the manufacturers not to sell to just any Tom, Dick and Harry.

Assuming, for discussion’s sake, that a rich country decides to airlift vaccines to their embassy in the Philippines, how can an embassy get their citizens in the Philippines to travel under a certain time frame or schedule? There are foreign permanent residents in Zamboanga down south, all the way to Kalinga perhaps. I was even told of Chinese nationals conducting business in Sulu or thereabouts. Just getting them through the maze of varying rules and restrictions imposed by different local governments could be insurmountable.

Then there is the problem of mobility, whether by land, sea or air. Aside from all that, most embassies I know of cannot physically handle hundreds if not thousands of people under one roof while imposing all the health protocols required. Add to that the fact that embassies are not designed as medical field stations or dispensaries for vaccines. Most of them are geared for flow of people or for security but not for vaccination or health emergencies, not to mention the fact that people who signed up to work in embassies signed up to be diplomats in varying levels and not to be paramedics!

Interestingly enough, I was told of several cases were states in the United States have extended the COVID-19 vaccination to non-citizens and non-residents. The same goes for the Netherlands, which has reportedly done the same for foreigners, including Filipinos. The presumption I would surmise is that if other countries extend vaccination to our citizens, it is only right and proper and medically logical to extend the vaccines to foreigners in the Philippines.

Some of you might think that these foreigners or permanent residents in the Philippines should simply fly to their home country and get vaccinated and then come back to the Philippines. Well…it’s not that simple. “Those foreigners” who moved to the Philippines and took up permanent residence here are mostly automatically no longer registered in their former places of residence, towns or cities. Once they moved to the Philippines they are generally deemed off the list of locals entitled to the usual services extended by their state until they re-register or take up residence in that country once again. In Europe, you generally cannot move from one address to another without registering your new address.

That being the case, they don’t automatically get in line for vaccinations. And as I mentioned earlier, there is the logistical and health protocol hurdles to deal with in just flying back to their country.

In the US, the State Department tightened up the rules regarding residency about a decade ago when they audited, interviewed and checked Green Card holders. Anyone who actively traveled back and forth to the Philippines instead of staying the mandatory number of years in the US were advised “sternly” to either live in the US or give up their Green Card status. Other foreigners I know personally have to re-register themselves or file as a returning citizen at the city hall to get back on the list.

Last but not the least, foreign friends of mine have time and again expressed willingness to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine. Unfortunately nothing has been said, stated or clarified regarding the matter. Only Congressman Rufus Rodriguez has committed to file a resolution for the government to address the concern of foreigners and permanent residents in the Philippines. The good congressman also promised to reach out to Secretary Teddyboy Locsin to ask the diplomatic corps or ambassadors to communicate with their citizens in the Philippines and address or answer the same concerns we have repeatedly shared on this page.

God willing an answer will be forthcoming. In the meantime, if you are a foreigner, pls thank Cong. Rufus Rodriguez for thinking of and acting on your concerns.

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