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Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Department of Health signed two projects providing 885 million-yen (about P392.32 million) cold chain equipment
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The equipment will be used to assist the Philippines in deploying essential supplies and medicines amid public health emergencies
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They will also complement pandemic-related ODA from the agency, including a ¥50-billion emergency support and ¥50-billion post-disaster standby loans
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Health (DOH) signed last week two projects providing 885 million-yen (about P392.32 million) cold chain equipment and logistics to support the Philippines’ COVID-19 recovery.
JICA on its Facebook page said the projects will provide cold chain equipment and logistics (thermal packaging systems, ice-lined refrigerators, ice-pack freezers, refrigerated vans, delivery trucks and service vehicles) to assist the Philippines in deploying essential supplies and medicines amid public health emergencies like the ongoing pandemic.
In a separate statement, JICA said the equipment will complement pandemic-related official development assistance from the agency, including a ¥50-billion emergency support and ¥50-billion post-disaster standby loans.
As of January 25, 2022, JICA said the Philippines has recorded 57.8 million (or 52.5% of the population) of fully vaccinated individuals. The projects would help in reaching out to the last mile—the remaining population that stills requires inoculation.
“COVID-19 has underlined a fundamental reality for many nations – that we are all connected and we need to help one another so we can deal with all the challenges from the pandemic,” said Azukizawa Eigo, JICA Chief Representative.
