MANILA— The Philippines on Friday received 1 million more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by China's Sinovac Biotech.

The Cebu Pacific flight carrying the CoronaVac shots procured by the government arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport past 7 a.m.

The latest shipment takes the total number of Sinovac vaccine doses delivered to the Philippines to 17 million. Of the total, 16 million were purchased by the government and private sector, while 1 million were donated by the Chinese drugmaker.

• DOH confirms local transmission of COVID-19 Delta variant

This came as the Department of Health on Thursday confirmed local transmission of the COVID-19 Delta variant in the country, with 47 total confirmed cases. The tally includes 36 recoveries, 3 fatalities and 8 active cases.

• OCTA: NCR seeing 'early stages' of COVID-19 surge that may be driven by Delta variant

A group of experts on Thursday also noted that Metro Manila was experiencing the "early stages" of a COVID-19 surge that could be linked to the Delta variant, which had originated in India and caused a catastrophic surge there.

Since it started its immunization program in March, the Philippines has so far administered more than 15.9 million doses. More than 5 million individuals or 8.67 percent have so far been fully vaccinated.

At least 58 million individuals are being targeted for vaccination this year to achieve herd immunity against the coronavirus.