The organization is set to use a $40,000 subsidy from the Olympic Council of Asia as President Duterte opted to procure the vaccine czar, allowing private companies to import vaccines.

Vaccines will be used and allocated for 626 athletes set to enter the 2021 SEA Games happening from November 21 to December 2.

According to POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, the new development will be beneficial to the players as they can practice once again after vaccination.

“This is good news for Filipino athletes who will be competing in the Hanoi SEA Games,” Tolentino shared.

“Once they get inoculated, they can train with very little fear of getting infected,” he concluded.

However, he affirmed that the brand and procurement process is now up to the task force saying that “Whichever is the first available vaccine that will be allowed for procurement, we will get. We cannot choose.”

Nevertheless, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner Ramon Fernandez concluded that the development was indeed a piece of good news saying that “This is really very good news for Philippine sports.”