Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko
Japan inks grant aid for provision of cold chain supply for COVID-19 vax
ON July 6, 2021, Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko signed and exchanged notes with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. for the implementation of the Programme for COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support, a grant assistance from the Government of Japan.
This 687 million yen grant aid will be implemented throughout the Philippines with the provision of cold chain transport and ancillaries. With the distribution of vaccines to the provinces a top priority of the Philippine Government, the cold chain facility system will boost efforts in the nation’s vaccination program. This will not only ensure safe and efficient vaccines delivery but also preserving the integrity and quality of vaccines. This initiative comes in the heels of Japan’s donation of one million AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured in Japan.
This grant aid is part of the 1 billion yen cold chain development assistance to the Philippines mentioned during the Japan Philippines Summit Telephone Talk between Prime Minister Suga and President Duterte last May.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Japan has continuously provided comprehensive support to the Philippines, ranging from the grant aid for the procurement of medical equipment and establishment of laboratory surveillance sites, technical assistance for cold chain development, Avigan tablets for COVID-19 treatment, as well as big-ticket yen loan assistance through the COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Loan (CRESL) and the Post-Disaster Standby Loan Phase 2 (PDSL 2). As has been before and until now, Japan remains committed to provide a steady stream of support to the Philippines’ goal of herd immunity.
