The United Statres of America will be investing an additional $5 million to the country to futher boost its COVID-19 vaccine rollout, US Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff said on Monday.
Emhoff made the statement during his speech as the Gregoria de Jesus Elementary School in Caloocan City.
"This assistance supports vaccine distribution for children and adults in line with the Philippines government's COVID-19 vaccination efforts to intensify and strengthen this country’s wall of immunity," he said.
Emhoff and his wife, US Vice President Kamala Harris is currently in the Philippines.
Harris earlier paid courtesy to President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. at the Malacañang Palace wherein she reaffirmed the "strong and enduring" relationship between the two countries.
In a statement, the US Embassy said the investment will be coursed through the Global VAX initiative against COVID-19.
Under the assistance package, the US will provide hygiene kits, equipment, medicines and other COVID-19 supplies as part of the bilateral partnership in disease prevention and awareness against COVID-19, tuberculosis, and other diseases.
Subject to availability of funds, the US government will also invest $8 million to help the Philippines prevent avoidable outbreaks, detect health threats early, and respond rapidly and effectively when outbreaks occur.
“In addition, the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) have established a new country office in the Philippines. These efforts reflect the United States’ prioritization of US-Philippines health partnership under the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA),” the embassy said.
Emhoff said the US has committed a total of $51 million to the Philippines’ COVID-19 response since the outbreak in 2020.
