Japan donates 687-M yen aid to PH for COVID-19 vaccine cold chain supply

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko signs exchange of notes on the implementation of the COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support from the Japanese government. Photos from the Japanese Embassy in Manila.

MANILA, Philippines — Japan will donate 687 million yen (around P300 million) worth of assistance for COVID-19 vaccine cold chain supply to the Philippines.

On Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko signed the exchange of notes on the implementation of the COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support from the Japanese government.

The grant aid, according to the Japanese Embassy in Manila, will be “implemented throughout the Philippines with the provision of cold chain transport and ancillaries.”

“With the distribution of vaccines to the provinces a top priority of the Philippine Government, the cold chain facility system will boost efforts in the nation’s vaccination program,” the embassy said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. signs exchange of notes on the implementation of the COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support from the Japanese government. Photos from the Japanese Embassy in Manila.

“This will not only ensure safe and efficient vaccine delivery but also preserve the integrity and quality of vaccines. This initiative comes on the heels of Japan’s donation of one million AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured in Japan,” it added.

According to the embassy, the grant aid is part of Japan’s 1-billion yen cold chain development assistance to the Philippines that Japanese Prime Minister Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga mentioned to President Rodrigo Duterte during a telephone call last May.

Japan, its embassy said, has continuously provided support to the Philippines since the outbreak of the pandemic, including the grant aid for the purchase of medical equipment and establishment of laboratory surveillance sites, technical assistance for cold chain development, Avigan tablets for COVID-19 treatment as well as big-ticket yen loan assistance, among others.

“As has been before and until now, Japan remains committed to provide a steady stream of support to the Philippines’ goal of herd immunity,” it added.

BSP: PHP-JPY Exchange Rate = .4372 (June 2021 average)