Competitive Bidding is the key for DOH Vaccine Procurement to strenghten prevention on vaccine scare

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A  discussion on lessons on vaccine scare and how the Philippines is taking a second look at vaccination  with  Dr. Lulu Bravo, Executive Director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination; and lawyer Tom Syquia, former Executive Director of PS-PhilGEPS, was held at the Samahang Plaridel, Kapihan sa Manila Hotel on January 22.

During the public health forum, the experts said that a stronger push towards more competitive bidding is key to regaining public confidence in vaccines from both the public and private sector.

Tom Syquija, former Executive Director of Procurement Service- Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PS-PhilGEPS), said that It's always best to have a public bidding, because competition will give the best price. 

"It is transparent. You get the same quality but at the lowest price. It's always best for the public if you have competition,” he added.

The budget for pneumonia vaccines alone is P4.9 billion, allotted for Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines (PCVs), which aim to guard against Invasive Pneumococcal Diseases (IPDs), the largest cause of death for Filipino children under five. 

There are two vaccines currently available for the government to procure during the next budget allocation, PCV 10 and PCV 13, two vaccines that global health experts claim are comparable in performance.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirmed an earlier position saying that the two available PCVs are equally effective in preventing overall pneumococcal diseases in children. In February 2019, the position paper also states that there is at present insufficient evidence of a difference in the net impact of the two available PCVs on overall disease burden.

Dr. Lulu Bravo, Executive Director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, when discussing the efficacy of the two PCVs. “Many developing countries have already procured PCV 10.”

Similarly, the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) in its own study said that available evidence to date indicates significant impact of both PCV10 and PCV13 in the outcomes studied, with no evidence of the superiority of one vaccine over the other on pneumonia, Invasive Pneumococcal Diseases (IPD), or meningitis hospitalization reduction in children under 5 years old.

The International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC), in their 2017 PCV product assessment which was based on a comprehensive review of published data, also declared that current evidence does not indicate an added benefit with one vaccine over the other.

Syquija highlighted that the competitive bidding process should be accompanied by the scrutiny and recommendation of legitimate health experts, which would help allay concerns over whether the procured vaccine has carefully been studied or not.

“The first thing to ask is, what is appropriate for the Philippines? How many manufacturers make PCV13? How many PCV10?” said Syquija.  

“You need a decision on an expert level. What product do we need? Then it will dictate the modality of the procurement.”

Even when the procurement process is transparent, there is a danger in the way it is implemented, claimed Syquija. The bid posted by the government is required to list specifications regarding the item to be procured. It is possible to “tailor-fit” the bid by listing specifications that unnecessarily cut other options out, making it difficult to protect the sanctity of the contract.

“Do we need a PCV10? If that is sufficient, and has multiple suppliers, why would you go for 13 if there is only one (supplier)?” he said.

There is also a concern among health experts that the resurgence of diseases and the potential exacerbation of currently prominent sicknesses, like pneumonia and meningitis, will become a larger problem should the public's fear towards vaccines continues to persist.

Experts believe that vaccine confidence is a critical issue, especially since pneumonia is a very common disease in children here and abroad. Of the hundreds of countries in the world, the Philippines is included in the top 15 countries in terms of pneumonia deaths, and those 15 countries are responsible for 75% of all deaths from pneumonia.

“In the last year or so we had so many outbreaks. Since 2018, nawala ang vaccine confidence ng Pilipinas. Isa tayong country na naging number one anti-vaccine country in the world,” said Dr. Bravo.

“The vaccine confidence of 93% in 2015 plunged to 30 percent in 2018.”

“Patients, people, and the community, would drive away the healthcare workers. They were being stoned, they were being driven away, and were even called child-killers,” she added.

In an earlier statement, the DOH pointed to vaccine hesitancy, or the refusal of vaccines despite availability, as one of the reasons for the recent measles outbreak in some regions of the country.

Senate shoots down LTFRB -TWG : Angkas presents comprehensive data from 1st pilot run

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In a public hearing on Motorcycle Taxis Legalization last Monday, January 20, the Senate Committee on Public Services chaired by Senator Grace Poe called on the technical working group (TWG) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to suspend their earlier pronouncement to discontinue the three-month extension of the motorcycle taxi test run which was still supposed to end in March and lift the riders cap.

Sen. Poe urged the TWG to continue the pilot run in order to aid the Senate in getting data to craft the proper legislation that regulates motorcycle taxis in the country. 

“In this panel, we are unanimous in our opinion that the study must continue. Isuspend niyo muna ang pagbuwag sa pilot run. We won’t come up with a meaningful and effective law without the pertinent studies,” Poe stressed. 

“Kaya pag kinansela ang programa, mas lalo nating di makukuha ang datos ng Angkas. Kung tinatamad kayo kumuha ng datos, pwede naman kayog pumunta sa PNP, HPG, at kumuha ng datos sa kanila,” she added.

Poe also called out TWG chairman Antonio Gardiola Jr., who announced the decision to halt the pilot run immediately prior to the Senate hearing, for the arbitrary pronouncement. 

“Naglabas kayo ng desisyon bago patayo nagkaroon ng konsultasyon. Hindi na ninyo kinonsidera ang talagang importanteng bagay dito na wala tayong alternatibo,” Poe stressed.

Poe also decried the riders cap that the TWG recently implemented.

"We are rewarding them (Angkas) negatively by putting the cap,” Poe declared. “Naintindihan ko yung frustration ng Angkas dahil kayo ang nagtanim, kayo ang nagsaing, pero ni hindi kayo pinakain,” she added.

The senate hearing was also attended by other senators Ralph Recto, Win Gatchalian, Bong Go, Imee Marcos, Joel Villanueva, Koko Pimentel, and Bato Dela Rosa.

Senator Ralph Recto, who also has a motorcycle taxi bill pending in the senate, also called out Gardiola for the summary changing of the TWG’s composition.

“I want an explanation from Secretary Tugade bakit binago ang TWG,” Recto demanded. “At bakit maraming natanggal sa TWG at ni walang representasyon ang Senado?”

Recto also decried the apparent inefficiency of the TWG. “Bakit parang wala namang meetings ang TWG? At parang isa lang ang nagdidikta,” Recto asked. "Kaya na-TRO kayo kasi wala kayong public consultation," he added.

Recto also disagreed with the plan of the TWG to blacklist Angkas as a motorcycle taxi service. 

"If you think the presentation of Angkas is good and promotes safety, why are you blacklisting them?" he questioned. 

Recto then asked for a copy of all the minutes of the meetings the TWG, the data they were able to gather in the first test run, and all department orders and memos pertinent to the issues at hand.

Senator Win Gatchalian, in turn, asked Gardiola why the TWG made decisions without a comprehensive data as reference. 

 “Ano nga ba ang basehan ng riders cap?” Gatchalian asked. “Patang legalized cartel ito. Dahil kung ako yung bagong player matutuwa ako na kabago-bago ko, may 10,000 agad ako na bikers,” he added.

“Paghihiganti po ito, dahil walang basehan ang lahat,” Gatchalian also noted.

Senator Bong Go, for his part, expressed his support for motorcycle taxis.

“Motorcycle taxis like Angkas provide cheaper and faster services, helps previously unregulated habal habal drivers, we also recognize the high safety standards, helmets and reflectors being provided to bikers,” Go declared.

Go later said that there will be no arrest yet of motorcycle taxis despite the government’s move to terminate its pilot run study and declare them illegal. He claimed that Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III had agreed to his request not to enforce the arrest starting next week.

“I will recommend to President Duterte the continuation of the extension of the pilot program for motorcycle taxis, provided that the players will abide and care for the safety of the passengers,” Go promised. 

“Kami naman dito Senado ayaw naman namin na habang nagaantay kami na i-amend yung batas, e mawawalan po silang ng trabaho kaya pinakusapan namin kung pwedeng pagpatuloy muna yung kanilang operation,” he added.

Senator Imee Marcos, addressing Senator Poe as chair of the committee, said, 

“Madam Chair, maybe we can ask Gardiola what the basis was. Kasi parang ang mga napili nila ay yung mga walang track record. 

“Ang akin lang, nakakapagtaka. Kapag may pasyente na maraming sakit, di naman natin pinapatay kasi give up na tayo. Wag natin patayin (ang ride hailing apps) kundi gamutin,”Marcos stressed.

Senator Joel Villanueva, in turn, labelled the riders cap as unconstitutional. 

"Yung pag set niyo ng policy to limit the number of riders that are able to work, parang sa ngayon, dapat ireconsider," Villanueva noted, quoting an article in the Constitution. 

"The State shall afford full protection of labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment," Villanueva quoted. "Yan po ay pagbibigay ng hanapbuhay o trabaho sa ating mga kababayan kase pag ginawa ho natin 'to (the riders cap), malilimitahan po sila," he added. 

"Will you reconsider now your position? There's a constitutional provision here we already mentioned. This is the highest law of the land," Villanueva noted.

Also during the hearing, Angkas Chief Transport Advocate George Royeca presented a summary of a comprehensive set of data gathered by the pioneering app-based motorcycle taxi service during the initial six-month test run held last year.

Royeca stressed that he has no fight with the LTFRB and the TWG and that what he was fighting for is the well-being of the bikers and the thousands of passengers. He also clarified several allegations made by the TWG, particularly those about the ownership of Angkas and their alleged operations in CDO, among other things.

Royeca ended his presentation by stressing that Angkas will continue to try to work with the government.

“In spite all of these, nandito pa rin kami na gusting makipagtulungan. We are still committed to working with the government to build a better system,” he said.

Tulong Taal: GCash enables users to donate to Taal aid efforts

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With the recent eruption of the Taal Volcano, the spirit of Bayanihan became stronger and much more visible with the outpouring of donations and volunteers from the different sectors of the society to help those in need.

Various groups and individuals launched their own donation drives to collect humanitarian aid and bring them to the people who are currently affected by the volcanic eruption in Batangas.

All over the news and social media, the whole world see how Filipinos of different walks of life -- from government agencies, humanitarian aid groups, foundations, down to individuals -- strengthen one another to help those in need.

“The Filipino spirit of Bayanihan is best displayed during these times, and we at GCash inspired with the outflowing of donations and financial aid to those affected by this calamity. We have since added a new in-app feature to make it more convenient for our users to support relief efforts,” GCash President Anthony Thomas said.

To make it much simpler for individuals to support these causes, GCash, the Philippines’ leading mobile wallet, has partnered with several non-government organizations and foundations to enable its users to contribute any amount to their chosen groups or even individuals via their GCash app.

GCash users simply have to open their apps, click on the “Pay Bills” tile, select “Others,” click on “Tulong Taal,” and input the amount they would like to contribute.

“We at GCash are one with the Filipino people in helping those in need in this time of great need. Through our platform, GCash users now have a more convenient means to aid those who are affected by the Taal Volcano eruption. We have long realized the power of our platform, and we will continue to transform it as a conduit of generosity for the greater good,” Thomas said.

With the advent of financial technology, Filipinos are now more empowered to harness their innate generosity and helpfulness in times of disasters. First launched in mid 2019, GCash for Good enables users to donate monetary assistance to social causes such as disaster relief via their mobile phones. 

Proceeds of the donation drive will go directly to partner organizations such as the Philippine Red Cross, World Vision, Animal Kingdom Foundation, Ayala Foundation, the School of Deaf and Applied Studies, Hope in a Bottle, and ABS-CBN Foundation. These groups are spearheading different humanitarian aid and relief operations for the evacuees.

GCash account holders may also opt to directly send financial assistance to their chosen aid group via their own QR codes posted in social media.

“No amount is too small when it comes to helping others. Each peso is a significant step towards the betterment of the lives of the people in need,” Thomas added.

Aside from the GCash-led donation drive, individuals are also harnessing the power of digital finance to gather donations and launch their own campaigns. Over the past few days, GCash has noted various GCash users receiving money from different people as financial assistance to humanitarian aid.

“It is encouraging for us at GCash to see our platform being used for good causes. This is a huge step for us, as we transform the GCash app to a more socially-significant, responsible and sustainable platform to create an impact on millions of lives in the Philippines,” Thomas said.

Shopee rounds up exceptional 2019; envisions online shopping to be more personalized, engaging, and social in 2020

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● Shopee’s in-app games were played over 1 billion times in total in 2019

● 10,000 hours of content streamed on Shopee Live a day on average

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, sums up an exceptional 2019 and outlines three defining characteristics for online shopping in 2020: Personalized, Engaging, Social. Shopee enjoyed a landmark 2019 as it pioneered industry-leading initiatives that transformed online shopping in the region. In 2020, Shopee will take its efforts to the next level by making online shopping more fun, customized, and interactive.

Martin Yu, Associate Director at Shopee Philippines said, “Shopee had an incredible 2019. We achieved new milestones by staying true to our vision of making online shopping engaging and social. This is proven by our successful in-app games and features which continue to delight millions of users daily. As e-commerce becomes the norm in the coming years, the next challenge is to make shopping online more personal and customized for each user. Shopee believes this to be the future of online shopping and we are committed to making it a reality.”

Shopee led the way for Southeast Asia’s e-commerce market in 2019

Shopee extended its market leadership in 2019, driven by its successful strategy to forge a social and engaging shopping experience. Fun is at the heart of the Shopee experience as its popular in-app games and features entertained shoppers across the region:

● Over 1 billion plays recorded on Shopee’s wide range of in-app games in 2019

● 10,000 hours of content streamed on Shopee Live a day on average

Sellers and brand partners also saw tremendous growth on Shopee in 2019. Sellers across the region experienced a steady increase in orders throughout the year, especially during the busy year-end shopping period. In addition, more brands and retailers joined Shopee to reach more customers, as the product assortment on Shopee Mall doubled in 2019.

Powered by its successful strategy, Shopee was crowned the number one shopping app in Southeast Asia and Taiwan by Monthly Active Users (MAU) in the second and third quarter of 2019. In addition, Shopee set new records during the year-end shopping season, highlighted by 80 million items sold in just 24 hours at its annual finale, Shopee 12.12 Big Christmas Sale.

2019 Highlights at Shopee Philippines

2019 was a fruitful and fulfilling year for Shopee Philippines, as it achieved several major milestones for users. Key highlights include:

● Provide non-stop entertainment for Filipinos: Celebrated the beginning of the Christmas season with its first-ever TV show, Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas TV Special. Millions of Filipinos joined in the fun to catch their favourite celebrities, including Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza, and Heart Evangelista. 

● Announce Filipino Popstar Royalty as new brand ambassador: Sarah Geronimo joined in the fun to celebrate Shopee 6.6 - 7.7 Lowest Price Sale as Shopee brand ambassador. Shopee recorded millions of online views for its commercial with Sarah Geronimo for Shopee 6.6 - 7.7 Lowest Price sale.

● Deepen user engagement with Shopee Live: Rolled out in-app livestreaming feature in April to provide shoppers an innovative and social shopping experience. Consumers can watch Shopee Live to score exclusive deals, connect with their favorite celebrities, and get Shopee vouchers. 

The future of online shopping: Personalized, Engaging, Social 

Shopee foresees online shopping to be even more personalized, engaging, and social in 2020. In line with this vision, Shopee will introduce new platform innovations to bring users a fun and personalized shopping experience in the new year: 

● Personalized shopping with data and artificial intelligence (AI): Shopee will deepen its use of AI and big data to curate a more personalized shopping journey for users. For example in 2019, Shopee leveraged deep learning for its recommendation engine to bring users customized shopping suggestions based on purchase and browsing data. 

● Leveling up user-engagement with new in-app games: Shopee will also innovate its collection of in-app games to bring users more fun and entertainment. In the Philippines, Shopee rolled out its latest horoscope game, the 2020 Fortune Forecast, to mark the beginning of the new year and to allow Filipinos to read their fortune for the year ahead.

● Deeper social interaction on Shopee Feed: Finally, users in all markets can expect an upgraded social experience through Shopee Feed by the first quarter of 2020. Shopee Feed offers various social functions for users to create content and interact with friends, fellow buyers, and sellers on Shopee. 

Yu closed: “I believe that online shopping should bring fun and joy to people. Everyone at Shopee is working hard to make shopping engaging, social, and personalized as e-commerce continues to evolve in our region. We are thrilled at what is to come in 2020 and we look forward to another fruitful year.”

Visa and Ayala Malls Cinemas Announce Contactless Acceptance in the Philippines

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Visa has announced that Filipinos can now use their contactless cards to make payments at 19 Ayala Malls Cinemas across the country. This is part of Visa’s goal to expand contactless acceptance at more merchant outlets in the country.

The contactless terminals have been implemented across Ayala Malls Cinemas, in partnership with Global Payments. The introduction of contactless payments at Ayala Malls Cinemas brings greater convenience and payment options for Filipinos who are embracing a cashless lifestyle.

“We’ve seen more Filipinos use their contactless cards for shopping and entertainment purchases since we introduced this secure and convenient mode of payment a couple of years ago,” shared Dan Wolbert, Visa Country Manager for the Philippines and Guam. “Contactless payments are steadily increasing and are being embraced as a payment of choice by Filipinos. Based on our data, we noted high double-digit year-on-year increase in contactless spend and transactions.

“Ayala Malls is one of the biggest shopping mall retailers in the country, and a strategic partner of Visa to help transform payment innovation in the country. Visa is excited to partner Ayala Malls on more initiatives to create seamless payment experiences for consumers and expand our merchant acceptance footprint in the country,” added Dan.

“Ayala Malls is all about creating special moments for our mall-goers, as embodied by our tagline, ‘Awaken Amazing’”, said Ayala Malls Marketing Director Eunice G. Velasco. “We are happy to work with Visa to provide treats that will delight our customers who are making use of Visa's convenient and safe contactless feature. We hope this partnership will encourage our customers to appreciate the ease of contactless transactions.”

Visa and Ayala Malls Cinemas have introduced a campaign, dubbed Fri-dates with Visa. On every Friday from January 17 to March 27, movie-goers who visit one of the 19 participating Ayala Malls Cinemas can enjoy complimentary popcorn when they watch a movie. All they need to do is purchase two (2) movie tickets, and tap to pay with their Visa contactless cards.