The United States government on Monday announced the distribution of P14.8 million ((US$300,000) worth of regionally-manufactured personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and other COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) treatment centers nationwide.
(US Embassy in Manila / MANILA BULLETIN)
Made through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and in coordination with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the latest donation brings the total US government assistance to the Philippines’ COVID-19 response efforts to nearly P981 million ($19.8 million).
“This delivery of PPE demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the Philippines to stop COVID-19. During this month, which began with a commemoration of Philippine-American Friendship Day, we are honored to support our Filipino friends, partners, and allies with the PPE they need to assist communities confronting the pandemic,” US Ambassador to Manila Sung Kim said in a statement.
Aimed specifically to support Filipino frontline workers, the US Embassy said recipients for this donation were determined by a needs assessment based on pandemic infection rates, current PPE supply levels, and projected future needs.
Dr. Robert S. Pope, Director of DTRA’s Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, said the US government is proud to support brave Filipino medical workers to ensure they are safe and healthy while providing essential medical care to those affected by the deadly virus.
“We value our longstanding partnerships in the Philippines. One day, we will look back on these events and know that our partnership helped enable a robust response that saved lives and prevented further contagion in the Philippines and the surrounding region,” he said.
History would show mutual support between the PGH and the US Defense Department that dates back to World War II when Filipino and American medical personnel worked side-by-side to treat soldiers and civilians during the Battle of Manila.