The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) received donations of various medical supplies and equipment worth over P2 million from the United States government, and "bihon" (noodles), face masks, and face shields from a group of Chinese businessmen on Monday, Oct. 25.
Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., AFP Chief of Staff, extended his gratitude to the US government and Philippine Fujian General Business Association (PFGBA) for their donations.
The US government turned over 30 intensive care unit (ICU) beds and 10 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE) worth P2,075,000 to the AFP.
Meanwhile, the PFGBA donated 1,200 packs of bihon Chinese noodles, 6,000 packs of KF94 face masks, 1,000 pieces of face shields, 10 units of air purifier, and 20 cases of distilled bottled water.
Both ceremonies were led by Faustino at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
"The AFP is grateful to the United States government for the donations which will surely enhance our capacity to afford our military personnel and their dependents the best health care services that we can provide," Faustino said during the turnover ceremony with David Gamble, acting deputy chief of mission of the US Embassy in Manila.
"Acts of generosity truly motivate us in the AFP to persevere in the fight and uphold our sworn mandate to the best of our abilities especially during this trying time. Rest assured that all the donations will immediately be distributed to our units most in need of these valuable resources," he stated during the ceremony with the Binondo-based PFGBA executives led by its president, Qing Quan Wu.
The PFGBA said they are one of the oldest Chinese business associations in the Philippines, and is composed of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) of Chinese businessmen with more than 4,000 members.