Australia delivers 2nd batch of oxygen concentrators to Philippines

The Australian government on Thursday turned over 100 oxygen concentrators to the Philippines for the last batch of the 200 donated equipment.

In a Facebook post, the National Task Force Against (NTF) COVID-19 said Australian Ambassador Steven J. Robinson turned over the donations in a ceremony at the PairCargo Warehouse in Pasay City.

The donations were personally received by NTF chief and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

“This is the second batch of donations from the Australian government, which brings to a total 200 the oxygen concentrators donated to the country,” the NTF said.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Nathaniel Imperial at the PairCargo Warehouse was also present in the acceptance ceremony.

The first batch of the donation was delivered to the country in August, which was distributed to 27 hospitals.

“Australia is increasing its commitment to the Philippines in terms of COVID-19 support, and we’re increasing our commitment further [by] P433 million to make a grand total of P1.8 billion that Australia is donating to the Philippines,” Robinson said.

Duque and Galvez thanked the Australian government for the donation.

In partnership with UNICEF, Australia will also provide over one million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines that are expected to arrive in the country later this year. —LBG/VBL, GMA News