JAPAN AND THE PHILIPPINES WELCOME THE ARRIVAL OF JAPAN-MADE COVID-19 VACCINES

 
　In a ceremony held at the Villamor Air Base on July 8, 2021, Minister NAKATA Masahiro of the Embassy of Japan, on behalf of Ambassador KOSHIKAWA Kazuhiko, welcomed the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines from Japan, in the presence of His Excellency President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Also in attendance were Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Chief Implementer of the National Task Force and Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez, Jr., Deputy Chief Implementer of the National Task Force and Testing Czar Vivencio Dizon, and Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.
 
　The bilateral provision of about one million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine manufactured in Japan is aimed at contributing to the Philippines’ goal of herd immunity and economic recovery. The said announcement on the vaccine allotment was first made by Japan’s Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu on June 15 and later on formalized through the signing and exchange of notes between the Embassy of Japan and the Department of Foreign Affairs on June 29.
 
　In his remarks during the vaccine arrival ceremony, Minister Nakata conveyed the message of Prime Minister of Japan SUGA Yoshihide to the people of the Philippines:
“Japan has ensured to provide COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines. This initiative is a clear testament to the deep-rooted bonds of friendship between our two nations. As we commemorate this year the 65th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-Philippines diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of our strategic partnership, Japan will work to surpass the unprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, in unison with the Philippines, a true friend closer than a brother.”
 
　From the time that the health crisis started, Japan has been in close cooperation with the Philippine government to contain the spread of COVID-19 and alleviate the difficulties caused by the pandemic. Part of the Japanese government’s initiatives are the COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support Loan (CRESL), Post-Disaster Standby Loan Phase 2 (PDSL 2), joint clinical trial for the anti-flu drug Avigan, procurement of medical equipment and establishment of laboratory surveillance sites, and development of cold chain system in the Philippines.