Second Gentleman of the United States, Douglas Emhoff, visited Gregoria De Jesus Elementary School in Caloocan City and met with the Department of Health (Philippines) OIC Secretary Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire to strengthen the U.S.-Philippines health alliance for the safe return of learners to school and intensifying health education on COVID-19 and tuberculosis. (Photo from USAID Philippines)
MANILA, Philippines — The Caloocan City government received hygiene kits from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) during the visit of United States Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff.
Emhoff led the ceremonial turnover of hygiene kits to the city government and students during his visit to the Gregoria De Jesus Elementary School on Monday, November 21.
The distribution of hygiene kits was on top of the $5 million in funds supporting the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in the Philippines.
“The United States and USAID will remain as your strong partners in attaining our shared goal for a more healthier and prosperous Philippines. We have hygiene kits for our students aside from these, the Philippines will receive five million dollars to support its vaccine rollout,” Emhoff said.
“I am looking forward to continuing the partnership between our countries and working together to keep our communities safe and healthy and our schools open,” he added.
Meanwhile, Caloocan Mayor Along Malapitan expressed his appreciation to the United States government for the gesture.
“We warmly welcome all of our visitors to the humble City of Caloocan. I am deeply grateful to our national and international partner agencies for their unwavering support to our endeavors, most importantly in keeping our people and children safe from communicable diseases,” he said.
“When COVID-19 hit the Philippines, our city government acted swiftly to mitigate the problem. It has been a difficult path, several challenges arose, but nonetheless, our children and our teachers persevered,” he added.
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