President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has expressed his intention to further strengthen the Philippines' ties with the Republic of Lithuania following the latter's donation of bivalent Covid-19 vaccines.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (RTVM screenshot)

Marcos said this as he led the launch of the said Covid-19 vaccines at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City on Wednesday, June 21.

In his speech, the President lauded the European country for its generosity.

"The Philippines conveys its gratitude to the Republic of Lithuania for their generosity and their donation of the country's first batch of bivalent vaccines," he said.

"I am hopeful that we will further deepen our cooperation in such areas as well as sustain this bond of friendship that we have strengthened now," he added.

"Rest assured that this government, under this administration, treasures that special relationship, and your act of generosity today will certainly not go unnoticed or ever be forgotten," he continued.

The Philippines and Lithuania will celebrate 32 years of diplomatic relations in December this year.

Marcos: Rest assured that this government, under this administration, treasures that special relationship, and your act of generosity today will certainly not go unnoticed or ever be forgotten. @manilabulletin

— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyll_mb) June 21, 2023

Earlier this month, the Philippines received its first batch of 390,000 doses of bivalent Covid-19 vaccines donated by the Republic of Lithuania. Bivalent vaccines are said to provide protection against the original Covid-19 strain and the Omicron subvariants.

According to Malacañang, the said vaccines have already been distributed to Department of Health (DOH) regional centers nationwide.

Based on DOH guidelines, healthcare workers and senior citizens who received their second booster shots at least four to six months ago are eligible for the first phase of the bivalent vaccine rollout.

"To date, the DOH is taking significant steps in pushing for the acquisition of these additional modified vaccines that can provide Filipinos with better protection against the virus," the Palace said.