By Meanne Corvera
Eagle News Service
Former President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday said that he acted only in the best interest of the country when the government procured Dengvaxia for use in the national vaccination program.
Speaking for the first time on the issue in the Senate committee hearing on Thursday, Aquino said that dengue was already a problem in the country as early as 2010.
He admitted he met with Sanofi representatives in December 2016 on the sidelines of a climate change event, in much the same way he met with other businessmen from other countries such as Airbus, and Jakobi Carbons, among others.
He said during this time, he was told that Sanofi’s dengue vaccine was already ready.
“Ang intindi natin sa Dengvaxia natapos na ang lokal at international processes na kailangang daanan nito…Tinignan namin ang US (Food and Drug Administration)..Di lang Pilipinas nag-approve dito, nauna ang Mexico at Brazil..Sa aking pakiwari at pag-unawa, sa lahat ng ibinalita ng mga eksperto, dumaan na ito sa lahat ng proseso,” he said.
He said the dengue vaccination program was launched in Zambales in April 2016.
He said the dengue vaccination program was implemented in Regions 7, 8 and the National Capital Region in 2016 because these were the regions that were the most affected in 2015.
“2010 palang may problema na tayo sa dengue. 1409 percent ang paglobo sa Region 8 na posible ring sa bansa,” he said.
“Bago, habang nagdedesisyon at maski pagkatapos walang nakarating sa akin na pagtutol sa naturang bakuna,” Aquino said.