US pledges $5 million more to fund COVID-19 fight in PH

United States Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff leads the turnover of hygiene kits to the city government of Caloocan and its students on Monday, November 21, 2022. Courtesy of Caloocan PIO

MANILA, Philippines — The United States (US) on Monday committed an additional $5 million or P287 million in COVID-19 funding for the Philippines.

US Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, who made the announcement as he visited Caloocan City, said that the funding would be coursed through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

“This assistance, funded through the American Rescue Plan, will support vaccine distribution for children and adults in line with the Philippine government’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts to intensify and strengthen the country’s wall of immunity,” the USAID said in a statement.

To date, the Philippines received almost $50 million or P2.86 billion in COVID response aid from the US.

The US government likewise donated more than 33 million COVID-19 vaccine doses through Covax since the start of the pandemic.

READ: USAID adds $11.3-M grant to PH COVID-19 response

More than 73.6 million individuals in the Philippines have so far been fully immunized against COVID-19 as of November 17, according to government data.

Aside from COVID-19, Emhoff also guaranteed their support to the Philippines in combating tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.

“The United States is so proud to support the Philippines in its fight against COVID-19 and tuberculosis. I am looking forward in continuing the partnership between our countries and working together to keep our communities safe and healthy and our schools open,” he said.

The US official led the ceremonial turnover of hygiene kits to the local government and its students.

Emhoff is in the Philippines as his wife, US Vice President Kamala Harris, is on a state visit. — Joshua Go, trainee

KGA