House panel eyes vaccine priority for Olympics, SEA Games-bound athletes

MANILA, Philippines — The House committee on youth and sports approved Tuesday the resolution urging the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases to classify national athletes who are set to compete or are vying for a slot in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics and Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) as frontliners so they could be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination.

During its online meeting, the committee adopted House Resolution No. 1507 filed by Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero with the incoming Tokyo Olympics, SEA Games, and other international sporting events.

In filing the resolution, Romero pointed out that this year, the Tokyo Olympics will be held from July 23 to August 8 while SEA Games will be held from November 21 to December 2 in Vietnam.

Qualifying stages for the two major sporting events will happen as early as April and May this year, said Romero.

“It is imperative that our national athletes should be classified as frontliners, in order to prioritize their vaccination against COVID-19 in the soonest possible time, to ensure that they will be allowed to participate in the qualifying stages,” Romero said in the resolution.

Romero said national athletes devote their physical state for training to further enhance their craft and to bring honor and glory to the country.

“The State recognizes the importance of Sports development to foster social progress, and promote total human development. The State also recognizes the tireless and selfless sacrifice of our national athletes,” Romero said.

The resolution will now be transmitted to the plenary for further consideration.

EDV