Rosario Vergeire made the assurance when sought for comment on local manufacturers expressing concern over the agency’s supposed reliance on imported PPE. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday assured that it is supportive of local manufacturers of personal protective equipment (PPE) and it has no preferences on which country to buy them. “There are no preferences as to country, we are very much supportive of our local suppliers,” she added. The Confederation of Philippine Manufacturers of PPE (CPMP) earlier said it was a challenge to produce and sell their products with the lack of demand coming from the government. Vergeire noted that under the ratified version of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2, local manufacturers of PPE would get priority in the government’s procurement.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer August 24, 2020 02:47 UTC