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By APD writer Melo M. Acuña
MANILA - The Philippine Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexie Nograles said donations from various parts of the world will be distributed according to the needs of different communities in the Philippines.
In a press briefing a few minutes ago, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire said acknowledged the assistance from the Chinese Embassy, business tycoon Jack Ma and several other governments and foundations in the government’s attempt to contain COVID-19.
Secretary Nograles said there are stringent and sufficient measures being observed by the government in the distribution of test kits and other donations.
However, Dr. Vergeire said the Regional Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) which evaluates specimens taken from 1,170 Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) over the past several months was overwhelmed with the requirements that they will soon designate another facility to evaluate throat swabs.
“We thank philanthropist Jack Ma for his generosity to countries like the USA and the Philippines. Philippines always occupied an important space in the heart of Mr. Ja. Alibaba venture into healthcare business is most crucial and welcome at this critical time,” thus said Dr. Francis Chua, former Special Envoy to China when asked of his views regarding Mr. Ma’s donation.
He added the millions (of pesos) of donation from the Chinese community, the country-wide medical supply donations from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry are as significant and important as that of Mr. Ma.
Dr. Chua said at these trying times, China-based entities whom the Philippines have supported at the height of COVID-19 attack in Wuhan are returning the favor in multiple times.
“So many of them are donating masks and COVID-19 test kits,” he added as he called on the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration to facilitate the distribution of the donated health materials.
Mr. Austing Ong, co-founder of the Philippines-China Friendship Club said Mr. Jack Ma’s donation in cooperation with boxing icon and Senator Manny Pacquiao is a “direct result of (President) Duterte’s independent foreign policy.
“Jack’s and Manny’s examples of rags to riches stories to become part of the world’s richest men, now gives back in big ways to people in need,” said Mr. Ong, an academician and civic leader.
He added this is simply so because of the centuries of friendship between the Philippines and China, characterized by helping each other in times of need.
The Department of Finance said Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma pledged to donate 500,000 face masks to the Philippine government to help in its efforts to cushion the spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said Mr. Ma committed to begin the delivery of the 500,000 masks either later this week or early next week through the Jack Ma Foundation and the Alibaba Foundation.
He thanked Mr. Ma for his “generosity and desire” to help the Philippines in the fight to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I want to personally send my best regards and hope we can do something for the Philippines to fight this virus,” Mr. Ma said in a phone conversation with Secretary Dominguez. The Chinese businessman said he hopes he can do something more.
In response, Secretary Dominguez said “Thank you very much, Jack. This is very, very much needed here, and I will tell our President right away of your generosity and your desire to help,” he added.
Mr. Ma also provided Secretary Dominguez a downloadable electronic handbook that could help Philippine doctors, nurses and other health workers remain sage and avoid infection while treating COVID-19 patients.
The handbook, published by the Jack Ma Foundation, highlights China’s lessons learned from fighting COVID-19 and is co-authored by several medical experts who served at the frontlines of China’s efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
Mr. Ma told Secretary Dominguez the handbook as guide resulted in the recovery of 96 percent of the patients and none of the doctors and nurses got infected.
“So I’m putting it online and I hope you can share it with the doctors and nurses and the hospitals in need,” Secretary Dominguez quoted Mr. Ma in their phone conversation.
The Philippine finance secretary informed Mr. Ma of the Philippine government’s stringent efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
