THE Philippine government’s COVID-19 response capability got an additional boost from the government of the Republic of Korea.
The Korean government donated a total of 38 cold-chain transportation vehicles to the Philippines from the Korean International Cooperation Authority (KOICA) and the Korean Embassy.
The vehicles, which were received by Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III, were provided in order to augment the country’s cold chain management of COVID-19 vaccines.
The donation is part of the Korean government’s US$2.5 million assistance which aims to provide cold chain capacity-building for DOH supply chain officers. In addition, the Korean government also provided assistance for the construction of a molecular laboratory and isolation facility for the local government of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.
The Republic of Korea has also previously provided donations of walk-through testing booths and testing kits.
Also present in the turnover ceremony at the DOH Central Office were Korean Ambassador Kim In-chul, National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., and Undersecretary of Health for the Procurement and Supply Chain Management Team Ma. Carolina Vidal-Taiño.
“It is with great pleasure that we have received such generous donations from the Korean government. The 34 refrigerated vans and 4 service vehicles will help the country’s National Vaccination Program and further improve cold chain management of COVID-19 vaccines in the regions. We are very grateful to our friends from Korea for their tireless effort and generosity in helping more Filipinos get vaccinated. This cooperation is a testament that we are not safe anywhere until we are safe everywhere. Kamsahamnida!,” Duque said during the turnover ceremony.
“Korea has been working together with the Philippines from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Korea and the Philippines will keep working hard until we overcome this crisis,” Korean Ambassador Kim said in response.
The donated units will be deployed to the various regions of the country through the DOH Centers for Health Development (CHDs).
(PHOTO CREDIT: NTF COVID-19 PH Media Group)