QUEZON CITY, (PIA) --The Philippine Government, through the Department of Health (DOH), received more than 390,000 doses of COVID-19 bivalent vaccines  donated by the Lithuanian government.

The vaccines arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Saturday, (June 3, 2023).

Among the DOH officials present in receiving the vaccines were Management Services Team (MST) Assistant Secretary Dr. Leonita Gorgolon, along with other officials from different DOH offices.

Also in attendance were the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Lithuania, Ms. Julia Netta Vildzius Peña, and the Deputy Head of Mission of the European Union to the Philippines, Dr. Ana-Isabel Sanchez-Ruiz.

From the PH government, representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) were also present during the ceremony.

The negotiation for the vaccines started as early as August 2022 and was finally offered by the Lithuanian Government last January 2023.

Until then, the PH government, with the support of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expedited the processes and issuance of permits for the arrival of the vaccines.

“It is with great pleasure that we have received such generous donations from the Lithuanian Government and our sincerest gratitude to our partner agencies for being one with the DOH in seeing that within our reach is a bountiful future, one that is most achievable starting with ensuring that we have sufficient protection against the COVID-19 virus,” DOH Officer-in-Charge, Secretary Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire said.

‘To every eligible Juan and Juana, we urge everyone to get the opportunity to gain longer and stronger protection by getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Together, let us move towards a healthier Pilipinas,” Vergeire added. (doh/pia-ncr)