Al Panlilio assures Team Pilipinas: ‘Vaccines will be on the way soon’

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) First Vice President and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio humbly accepted the responsibility of being the vaccine czar of Team Pilipinas, Wednesday afternoon.

This was the huge task bestowed upon him by POC President Bambol Tolentino after the sports body received its $40,000 subsidy from the Olympic Council of Asia to procure COVID-19 vaccines.

For Panlilio, it is important to educate the athletes first on how the vaccine can help them return to normalcy.

“First of all, I’d like to express my gratitude, on behalf of all national athletes, to the Olympic Solidarity and Association of National Olympic Committees through the Olympic Council of Asia for their generosity and POC President Bambol Tolentino entrusting me to be the Chairman fo the POC’s Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccine Procurement,” said Panlilio.

“The POC understands how important it is to inoculate our national athletes not just for their physical well-being but psychologically as well. Getting this done at the soonest possible time will allow them to solely focus on their preparations.”

Panlilio has also tapped sailing’s Dr. Raul Canlas, membership committee head Atty. Billy Sumangui, golf’s Bones Floro, general manager Dinah Remolacio, and PLDT chief procurement officer Os Dela Paz to help him in this task.

With the Tokyo Olympic-bound athletes already awaiting their inoculation as promised by business tycoon Enrique Razon for late May or early June, the POC now sets it sights on the athletes who will be representing the Philippines in the SEA Games.

“So to our athletes, we hope you’re safe and healthy wherever you are right now. The vaccines will be on the way soon.”