U.S. military donates additional Php11M in medical supplies to PHL frontliners

U.S. Army and Marine Corps service members delivered an additional Php11.4 million ($230,600) in personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies to hospitals in 11 cities across the Philippines, working in partnership with the Philippine Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard.  This new donation brings total U.S. government COVID-19 assistance to the Philippines to Php989 million (more than $20 million).

“This latest delivery of U.S. government assistance for Filipino frontliners in the battle against COVID-19 is a testament to our ongoing commitment to help the Philippines defeat the pandemic,” said U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim.

The assistance, delivered in cooperation with the Philippine Office of Civil Defense and Department of Health, will provide medical clinics from Luzon to Mindanao with much-needed PPE and other essential equipment to support frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19.  This joint U.S.-Philippine effort builds on decades of bilateral military cooperation in counterterrorism, humanitarian relief, maritime security, and many other fields.

Commodore Allan O. Corpuz, Philippine Coast Guard District Palawan commander, said, “We are but one in this unconventional war against this pandemic.  We are immensely grateful for your untiring service and support to our nation.”

Over the coming month, this medical equipment will be distributed to 16 medical clinics, hospitals, and local Departments of Health in Palawan, Batangas, Pampanga, Cebu, Sulu, Maguindanao, Zamboanga del Sur, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte.  The supplies include disposable gloves, masks, medical clothing, various types of face protection, and tools such as infrared thermometers.

The United States has provided more than Php228 billion ($4.5 billion) in development assistance to the Philippines over the past 20 years, including over Php29 billion ($582 million) in health assistance.