The United States is providing an additional P298 million ($5.9 million) to help the Philippines in its fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), bringing the total amount of US government’s pandemic assistance to the country to more than P768 million ($15.2 million).
In a statement, the US Embassy in Manila said the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will partner with 18 local governments in some of the hardest-hit areas to promote effective crisis management and implement response plans.
The same funding will support local governments to rapidly disburse emergency funding and supplies, and strengthen the capacity of local crisis response centers to disseminate accurate and timely crisis response information, manage quarantine measures, set up public handwashing facilities, ensure food supply, and support local business recovery.
“This latest assistance builds on our long-standing relationships with local government units across the Philippines, and represents our continued commitment to our Filipino friends, partners, and allies in this time of crisis.” US Ambassador to Manila Sung Kim said as he welcomed the new tranche of support to the Philippines.
Moreover, the funds will provide supply chain analytics and promote a regulatory environment that facilitates logistics and transportation for food, medical products, and other essential goods.
USAID will facilitate access to credit and provide grants and skills training to help heavily affected sectors and communities to recover. (Roy Mabasa)
