ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Between October 2 and November 10, the U.S. military donated intensive care unit (ICU) beds and COVID-19 vaccine cold storage units, valued at over P6.9 million ($138,600), across the southern Philippines. 

The donations were made during seven small ceremonies and included equipment turnovers to hospitals in Pagadian City, Cotabato City, Sulu Province, Iligan City, and Tawi-Tawi Province.  The donations consisted of 13 cold storage units and 50 ICU beds. 

This equipment represents the United States’ continued support to the Philippines in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in geographically remote and isolated areas where it is difficult to procure and deliver supplies. 

The most recent donation took place in the Zamboanga del Sur Integrated Provincial Health Office in Pagadian City with representatives from the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) ReachHealth project arranging the logistics, transportation, and turnover of six vaccine cold storage units capable of storing more than 120,000 vaccine doses. 

“The Filipino people and the U.S. have a long-standing tradition of helping each other in times of need,” said Maj. Scott Holub, Special Operations Task Force 511.2 commanding officer.  “From the liberation of Marawi to the battle against COVID-19, we will continue to support our oldest ally in Asia.” 

With regard to these recent donations, Maj. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., Western Mindanao Command commanding general, said, “I extend my sincere gratitude to our partner and ally particularly on your kind donations to the remote hospitals within our area of operations, specifically in Cotabato, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.  The hospital beds and cold storage units for COVID-19 vaccines that you donated are vital components in our sustained battle against the COVID-19.” 

To date, the United States has provided more than P1.9 billion ($39.2 million) to support the Philippines’ COVID-19 response. (U.S. Embassy in the Philippines)