CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) received about P57 Million worth of medical equipment, supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE) from the Australian Government on Tuesday, Sept. 28.
The Secretary of National Defense, Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, the AFP Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr together with the Commander of AFP Health Service Command, Col. Edgar Cardinoza officially received the donations in a ceremony held at Pier 15, South Harbor in Manila.
“The turnover of donations from the Australian Government is a clear testament of the collaborative partnership that both our respective nations and military forces continue to nurture and sustain, as we aspire to work together in promoting the welfare of our people and country,” Lt. Gen. Faustino said.
Lorenzana conveyed the Defense Department’s gratitude and appreciation to the country’s long-standing strategic partner.
“The Australian Government has expanded the coverage of its Defense Cooperation Program to include the pandemic needs of Filipino Soldiers; a gesture that conveys the message that we are not alone in this fight. Certainly, these donations will ramp up the day-to-day clinical management and quality of care and service which AFP’s medical arm is expected to provide,” Lorenzana said.
The equipment and supplies will be turned over to the AFP’s primary military hospital, the Victoriano Luna Medical Center (VLMC) to support its COVID19 response, testing efforts, and capacity for hospitalization of minor to critical patients.
His Excellency Steven Robinson AO, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, officially handed over the donation to the AFP Chief.
“Throughout this unpredictable COVID19 pandemic, I am very pleased that Australia is able to provide flexible and responsive support to the Philippines. These additional medical and personal protective equipment will be critical in VLMC’s COVID-19 testing efforts, and treatment of COVID patients,” Robinson said.
Among donated items were high flow oxygen machines, stretcher, defibrillator, disinfection kits, Automated RNA Extraction kit, Viral RNA Extraction kit, RT-PCR Reagents and Detection kit, face masks, face shield, PPE level 3 and level 4 sets, eye protector, and KN95 masks.
This is the third tranche of donations from the Australian Government coursed under the mutually agreed Australia-Philippines Enhanced Defense Cooperation Program.
Present in the handover ceremony were AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Maj. Gen. Rene Diaz; the AFP Surgeon General, Col. Fatima Claire Navarro; Australian Defense Attache, Col. Paul Joseph Barta; and Assistant Defense Attache, Lt. Col. Tim Lopsik.
Faustino thanked the Australian Government and assured that the donations will be maintained and maximized accordingly.
“Rest assured that we shall do everything in our capacity to ensure that the donated medical equipment and supplies shall be duly maintained and kept in excellent condition, as well as to maximize their use to enhance the provision of medical response within the AFP healthcare system,” he said.///(Photos and Videos by A2C Ted Castro and Mark Junio) (AFP) – bny
