President Rodrigo Duterte personally witnessed the offloading of 600,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Sinovac, which was donated by the Chinese Government.
“My fellow Filipinos, we welcome this day with high hopes of finally ending the COVID-19 pandemic in our country. Today, we make another step towards the fight against COVID-19 as we receive 600,000 Coronavac doses from the People’s Republic of China,” said President Duterte.
RELATED STORY: COVID-19 vaccines from China have arrived in the Philippines
The Philippine president thanked China for its kind donation during the arrival of the vaccines from China, which was represented by Huang Xilian, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Philippines during the ceremony at the Villamor Air Base.
“I convey my sincere gratitude to the Chinese people and the government of China for this gesture of friendship and solidarity. The hallmark of Philippines-China partnership. I also thank Secretary Galvez and Team Pilipinas for working very very hard, and would like to personally thank Ambassador Huang Xilian for helping ensure the timely delivery of this donation,” said President Duterte.
“COVID-19 vaccines should be treated as a global public good and made available to all. No people shall be led to suffer the gravities of this pandemic for whatever reason,” he added.
READ ON: Duterte orders first round of COVID-19 vaccination on first week of March
The military plane from China arrived at around 12:15 pm in the Philippines
The actual rollout of the Philippines’ national vaccination program will begin on Monday, March 1 at the Philippine General Hospital.
