An official of the country’s task force against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government and the private sector for helping in the country’s ongoing battle against the pandemic.

National Task Force Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Secretary Vince Dizon lauded the efforts of the government’s partners in assisting the country in order to mitigate the effects of the health crisis.

“We want to profoundly thank our partners from the Government of China and various Chinese organizations, both government and private, who have helped us throughout this challenge of beating COVID-19,” Dizon said in a virtual forum Tuesday, July 13.

Dizon noted the Philippines faced a “very difficult road” in combating the global pandemic, saying that the country did not have the enough infrastructure and preparation, like many other countries when the crisis hit last year.

“Without that help, I don’t think we would be in the situation now where despite the many challenges, we are at a point where it is relatively still under control,” he said.

Dizon also thanked the organizations led by Philippine Archipelago International Trading Corp. President Olivia Limpe-Aw, which provided medicines for people affected by the dreaded disease.

“We would like to thank you profoundly for all the assistance and we would not be able to do this without you,” Dizon said.