The United States, through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and in coordination with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is distributing Php14.8 million ($300,000) worth of regionally-manufactured personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and COVID-19 treatment centers across the Philippines. This latest donation brings overall U.S. government assistance to the Philippines’ COVID-19 response efforts to nearly Php981 million ($19.8 million).

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said, “This delivery of PPE demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the Philippines to stop COVID-19. During this month, which began with a commemoration of Philippine-American Friendship Day, we are honored to support our Filipino friends, partners, and allies with the PPE they need to assist communities confronting the pandemic.”

Recipients for this donation were determined by a needs assessment based on pandemic infection rates, current PPE supply levels, and projected future needs. The United States will continue to support Filipino frontline workers.

Dr. Robert S. Pope, Director of DTRA’s Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, said, “We are proud to support brave Filipino medical workers to ensure they are safe and healthy while providing essential medical care to those affected by this deadly virus. We value our longstanding partnerships in the Philippines. One day, we will look back on these events and know that our partnership helped enable a robust response that saved lives and prevented further contagion in the Philippines and surrounding region.”

The PGH and the U.S. Department of Defense have a long history of mutual support dating back to World War II. During the War, Filipino and American medical personnel worked together to treat soldiers and civilians during the Battle of Manila, following the liberation of PGH through joint U.S.-Philippine effort.