USAID extends P565 million for PH pandemic response

MANILA, Philippines — The US government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), on Monday extended an additional P565 million ($11.3 million) aid to the Philippines to strengthen the capacity of local governments to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and fast track vaccination in high-risk areas.

Heather Variava, US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, announced the additional USAID support to the country during Monday’s launch of six new COVID-19 mobile testing units and one mobile vaccination team in Quezon City.

The mobile vaccination and testing teams with 30 health-care workers will bolster Quezon City’s testing efforts and vaccination coverage.

—TINA G. SANTOS