Senators welcome Moderna’s plan to set up facility in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Senators yesterday welcomed a plan of vaccine manufacturer Moderna to establish its shared service facility for pharmacovigilance in the Philippines, which will be its first in Asia and third in the world.

Sen. Bong Go expressed belief that Moderna’s plan to establish a facility in the country is a “vote of confidence in the improving business climate in the country.”

Go, chairman of the Senate committee on health, said it is important that the health services needed to make Filipinos healthy, safe and productive are closer to the people.

“This is a welcome development and indeed a step toward the right direction,” Go said. “We thank President Marcos for enticing foreign investors to the Philippines. More investments mean more jobs and livelihood opportunities for Filipinos.”

Go gave assurance that he would continue advocating for the passage of measures that seek to establish the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines and give the country the capability to produce its our own vaccines.

Sen. Nancy Binay also welcomed Moderna’s plan to establish a facility in the country, saying this will mean additional employment and access to vaccines not only for COVID, but for other diseases.