HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III accepted 38 cold chain transportation vehicles from the Korean International Cooperation Authority (KOICA) and Korean Embassy to augment the country’s cold chain management of COVID-19 vaccines.
The donation is part of the Korean government’s USD 2.5 million assistance which aims to provide cold chain capacity-building for DOH supply chain officers. In addition, the Korean government also provided assistance for the construction of a molecular laboratory and isolation facility for the local government of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental. The Republic of Korea has also previously provided donations of walk-through testing booths and testing kits.
Also present in the turnover ceremony at the DOH Central Office were Korean Ambassador Kim In-chul, Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. Chief Implementor of the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19, and Undersecretary of Health for the Procurement and Supply Chain Management Team Ma. Carolina Vidal-Taiño.
“It is with great pleasure that we have received such generous donations from the Korean government. The 34 refrigerated vans and 4 service vehicles will help the country’s National Vaccination Program and further improve cold chain management of COVID-19 vaccines in the regions. We are very grateful to our friends from Korea for their tireless effort and generosity in helping more Filipinos get vaccinated. This cooperation is a testament that we are not safe anywhere until we are safe everywhere. Kamsahamnida!,” said Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III.
“Korea has been working together with the Philippines from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Korea and the Philippines will keep working hard until we overcome this crisis,” said Korean Ambassador Kim In-Chul.
The donated units will be deployed to the various regions of the country through the DOH Centers for Health Development (CHDs).
In a statement to reporters, Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar noted that reports that the department supports the call of some lawmakers to remove the CDE are inaccurate.
Villar went on to say that the department’s statement to Congress reads that “it is within the power of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to impose restrictions on the renewal of the driver’s licenses for 10 years, which includes the requirement of the CDE”.
She added that the issuance of a certification of completion of the CDE is a function necessary or incidental to the power of the LTO to issue driver’s licenses.
However, Villar said the law stipulates that the function pertains to the LTO itself and does not mention authorizing LTO-accredited driving schools or institutions to exercise the power.
“(I)t is not contemplated by EO (Executive Order) No. 1101, s. 1985, that the said function be performed by an LTO-accredited driving school or institution,” Vilar said.
The CDE was first implemented by the LTO in late October of last year, in accordance with Republic Act 10930, which amends the Land Transportation and Traffic Code to “establish a system that promotes the ease of access to government services and efficient transportation regulation favorable to the people.”
For drivers with no offenses, RA 10930 extends the validity duration of their licenses from five to 10 years, up from the previous three years.
Motorists must take a CDE exam to renew their driver’s license.
