Taiwan hands over 300,000 donated face masks to help PH fight COVID-19

Ambassador Peiyung Hsu, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines (left) and Vice-Chairman Gilberto F. Lauengco of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (right) in front of the medical masks donated by Taiwan. Image: Courtesy of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office 

MANILA, Philippines — Taiwan on Wednesday turned over 300,000 face masks to the Philippines, which will be used by medical workers on the frontlines of the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In photos provided by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (Teco), Representative Peiyung Hsu handed over the face masks to the representatives of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office and the Department of Health (DOH).

The handover was made at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The 300,000 medical masks donated by Taiwan to the Philippines were transferred by the staff of the Department of Health (DOH) to its official vehicle. Image: Courtesy of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office 

Ambassador Peiyung Hsu, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, Vice Chairman Gilberto F. Lauengco of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, and representatives from Philippine government agencies in front of the medical masks donated by Taiwan. Image: Courtesy of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office 

Taiwan previously conducted two waves of medical assistance operations, donating 16 million medical masks and other medical supplies to the U.S., Europe, diplomatic allies, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Philippines so far has 5,423 confirmed cases of COVID-19, of which 353 managed to recover while 349 succumbed to the disease.

Meanwhile, Taiwan has 393 confirmed COVID-19 cases, as well as six deaths. On Tuesday, Taiwan reported no new cases of the viral disease for the first time in a month.

/MUF