(9 July 2020) — The Bureau of International Health Cooperation (BIHC), spearheaded by Director Maria Soledad Q. Antonio, facilitated the turnover of 500,000 surgical masks to the DOH. The donation was made possible through the assistance of UNDP Philippines and UNDP China through its partner, the Soong Ling Ching Foundation. UNDP Philippines’ Representative Mr. Titon Mitra handed over the donation to the DOH through Health Undersecretary Mario C. Villaverde of the Health Policy Systems and Development Team (HPSDT). The turnover was also witnessed by Director Emma R. Sarne of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations.

The turnover was held last Thursday, 8 July 2020 at the Office of the Secretary in the Department of Health, Manila.

From left: Director Emma Sarne from the DFA, Undersecretary Mario C. Villaverde from the HPSDT; and Mr. Titon Mitra from the UNDP Philippine Office

From left: Director Maria Soledad Q. Antonio from the BIHC; Director Emma Sarne from the DFA, Undersecretary Mario C. Villaverde from the HPSDT; and Mr. Titon Mitra from the UNDP Philippine Office

Photo from the Bureau of International Health Cooperation, Department of Health - Philippines