Locsin thanks US for pandemic aid

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has expressed the Philippine government’s gratitude to the United States for its continued assistance to the country’s COVID-19 response, including an additional $11.3 million to help bankroll its vaccination program, testing and contact-tracing efforts. Locsin flew to Washington and met with his US counterpart, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on Thursday afternoon (Friday in Manila), said a statement issued by the US state department. The two top diplomats were set to discuss various matters on security and diplomatic relations involving the two allies, such as the renewal of the Philippines’ Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States. The United States has provided a total of $39 million in assistance to the Philippines since the pandemic broke out last year. —Marlon Ramos