Australia hands over P70M in donations for AFP’s pandemic response

MANILA, Philippines—Australia handed nearly P70 million worth of medical supplies and equipment to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday (May 28) to boost the Philippine military’s COVID-19 response.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and AFP chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana formally accepted the donations during a turnover ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, the AFP headquarters.

Australia sought to boost AFP capability to handle rising COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila and other parts of the Philippines.

“COVID-19 may have disrupted our normal defense training and other exercises, but it has demonstrated that whatever challenges we face, we can rely on the deep respect and camaraderie between our respective armed forces,” said Australian ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson.

Sobejana thanked the Australian government and assured i that the donations will be used properly.

“In the midst of a complex and volatile security environment, Australia has continuously extended its support in the endeavors and advocacies of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and of course, our national government. In particular, Australia has been a dependable partner in confronting the prevailing health crisis,” Sobejana said.

In 2020, Australia supported the expansion of the Victoriano Luna Medical Center-AFP Medical Center infectious ward to handle COVID-19 cases with a P35 million grant.

TSB