MANILA- President Rodrigo Duterte is offering up to P10 million in reward money to any Filipino who can discover a vaccine against the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Malacañang said Tuesday.

"Inanunsyo po ng Pangulo na siya ay magbibigay ng pabuya hanggang P10 milyon sa kahit sinong Pilipino na makakadiskubre ng vaccine laban sa COVID-19," Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said in a Palace virtual press briefing.

(The President is announcing that he will give a grant of up to P10 million for any Filipino who can find a vaccine against COVID-19.)

The world has yet to find a vaccine and cure for the rapidly spreading COVID-19 but there are drugs being tested worldwide as possible treatment for the respiratory disease.

Aside from the reward money, Roque said President Duterte will also offer a "substantial grant" to the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital for the development of a vaccine.

The President had previously said the Philippines is ready to participate in clinical trials and medical studies of potential vaccines and medicines for COVID-19.

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As of Monday, COVID-19 has so far infected 6,459 people in the Philippines, with 428 deaths and 613 recoveries.