MANILA, Philippines — A ranking official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) yesterday said the government is expected to start implementation of the $24.9-million Pandemic Fund in the first quarter this year after the Philippines was able to secure the grant to boost the country’s campaign against future animal and human health threats.
“We expect to implement (projects under the fund) this first quarter or maximum of second quarter, so we are now coordinating with the Department of Finance and the National Economic and Development Authority,” DA spokesman Arnel de Mesa said in an interview.
De Mesa said the grant will be jointly implemented by DA through the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the Department of Health (DOH).
“The funds are now with the World Bank. It’s a joint project between DOH on human health, and then BAI, DA for animal health. We are now facilitating the release from the World Bank to the DA,” he added.
He said the funding will help the country improve laboratories and capacity building of veterinarians.
“It will help handle pandemic threats like African swine fever, transboundary diseases, avian influenza and the like,” De Mesa added.
The DA has said the Philippines is among 50 countries selected to receive a Pandemic Fund Grant, which totaled $547 million.
The Pandemic Fund was launched in 2022 by the G20, composed of the world’s biggest economies, as a direct response to the global vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.