CALOOCAN CITY, (PIA) -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Japanese Government for its donation of 1.124 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine.

“Japan continues to be our strong partner in various development programs,” he said. “Again, I express my heartfelt gratitude to Japan for all of the assistance you have extended to our country during these challenging times,” Duterte said.

The President also thanked the Japanese Prime Minister for helping the Philippine government have an “equitable” access to vaccines as he personally led the turnover rites at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

During the event, Duterte said the Philippines and Japan’s cooperation in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic indicates the two countries’ “deep friendship.”

“These more than one million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine will surely go a long way in our quest for herd immunity,” Duterte said.

Duterte also thanked Japan for providing cold chain transport and ancillaries that help preserve the quality and integrity of the AstraZeneca vaccines for their safe and efficient delivery.

The Japanese Government donation is part of its initiatives to support Southeast Asian nations amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (PIA-NCR)