By Katrina Gracia Consebido
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed gratitude to United States (US) President Joe Biden for their country’s massive assistance to the Philippines when it was hit by COVID-19.
During their meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Marcos thanked Biden for the provision of vaccines.
“Again, we would like to thank the United States for the massive help that we received during the pandemic. We had the provision of up to 35 – almost 36 million doses of vaccines very early on, ahead of some of the other countries. And for that, we are very, very grateful,” he said.
He also mentioned the role of the US as a long standing ally of the country in maintaining peace.
“[The] role of the United States in maintaining peace in our region is something that is much appreciated by all the countries in the region and the Philippines especially,” he said.
“We continue to look to the United States for that continuing partnership and the maintenance of peace in our region,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Biden said that the relationship between the two countries will remain intact.
“And we have strong ties, including millions of Filipino-Americans who are very proud of their ancestry and desperately want us to continue to have a strong relationship,” he said. “For decades, the alliance has strengthened both of us, I believe.” –ag
