MANILA - Chinese billionaire Jack Ma has pledged to donate half a million face masks to the Philippine government to support its fight against COVID-19, a Cabinet official said Thursday.

Delivery of the supplies from the Alibaba founder is expected to begin later this week or early next week, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said in a statement.

“I hope that I can do something more. For now, we have decided to give 500,000 masks to the Philippines,” Ma said, as quoted by Sec. Dominguez.

The Chinese billionaire earlier pledged to donate 50,000 COVID-19 test kits in partnership with Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

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A downloadable electronic handbook published by Jack Ma Foundation has also been provided for doctors and other health practitioners fighting the COVID-19, Dominguez said.

Other countries and private companies have extended help to the Philippines in its fight against the pandemic. Dennis Uy's Udenna Corp donated test kits from South Korea, while conglomerates such as San Miguel Corp and LT Group have provided face masks and alcohol to frontliners.

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-- with a report from Warren de Duzman, ABS-CBN News