Part 4/7:
Initially hesitant to negotiate and sign purchase agreements, the Philippines eventually committed to buying vaccines from pharmaceutical companies. Yet, by the time the government fully committed to procurement, it was already too late for many in the initial phases of distribution. The country found itself at the bottom of the priority list for vaccine manufacturers, who favored wealthier nations or those with established support systems.
This delayed response led to a sense of frustration among the Filipino people. Those working in multinational corporations or large companies often had an easier time getting vaccinated, creating a divide where ordinary workers felt left behind and vulnerable.