Duterte thanks Biden, American people for vaccine donations

As Philippines continue to secure more vaccines versus COVID-19, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday thanked the Biden administration and Americans for their  donations of doses against the coronavirus.

In his talk to the people, Duterte said it was a "give and take" since he retracted the termination Visiting Forces Agreement  (VFA) between the two nations.

"Kulang talaga ang supply. We have a supply coming I think a few days from now. I am going to go to the airport because US donated 3 million... the Moderna. Kaya ano give and take lang tayo," Duterte said.

"Pasalamat tayo sa kanila, naibigay naman... I conceded the continuance to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). In gratitude, I said, nagpapasalamat tayo," he added.

He further acknowledged the government of US President Joe Biden for "not forgetting" the Philippines in the donations.

"Do not forget us because we share, we share, the same outlook sa geopolitics dito, sa specifically, sa Southeast Asia," he said.

Records from US Embassy Manila showed that the American government donated at least  13.2 million doses of anti-COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines so far. Of the number, 10 million doses were donated through global aid facility COVAX, while the 3.2 million doses were direct donation.

On Tuesday, August 3, Philippines is expected to receive three million doses of US-made Moderna vaccines donated by the US government.  —NB, GMA News