No strings attached to US COVID aid – Blinken

The United States’ COVID-19 assistance to the Philippines has exceeded $50 million, described by Secretary of State Antony Blinken as a donation with “no political strings attached.”

Blinken reaffirmed the US support for the Philippines’ COVID-19 response during a turnover of medical equipment and supplies in Manila on Saturday. It was his first visit to the Philippines as secretary of state.

“As the Philippines continues to work to vaccinate people, to reduce the spread and save lives, my message is simple: the United States is with you,” Blinken said. “We will end this pandemic and emerge better prepared for future health crises by working together not only across governments, but across private sectors and across civil society.”

Blinken noted that the US has unconditionally donated more than 33 million safe, effective vaccines to the Philippines and provided more than $50 million to help train Filipino health care workers, boost the vaccine rollout and support the country’s economic recovery.

At a joint press conference with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Saturday, Blinken stated that “the United States has been proud to support their excellent work, including by donating more than 33 million doses of safe, effective vaccines with no political strings attached.”

Blinken led the handover of US government-donated personal protective equipment, testing kits, laboratory equipment and supplies and hygiene kits in the presence of US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, Department of Health officer-incharge Maria Rosario Vergeire and Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, both doctors.

The donation will support efforts of local medical facilities such as the Philippine Genome Center and the Bulacan Medical Center.

“We thank the US government for helping the Philippines respond to COVID-19 and protecting Filipinos with the much-needed vaccines and technical assistance. Your support helped save the lives of many Filipinos,” Vergeire said.

On the sidelines of the handover ceremony, Blinken visited a pediatric vaccination site of the Manila City government at the Manila Zoo and inspected mobile jeepney vaccine clinics supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to encourage children’s vaccination and support the safe reopening of face-to-face classes.