MANILA, Philippines — The World Health Organization (WHO) declaring that COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency would help the country boost its economic activities and sustain its growth, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said on Sunday.
“The decision shows that countries around the globe, including the Philippines, have succeeded through a collaborative effort in fighting the highly infectious novel coronavirus and its variants, though they remain a threat to public health,” said Romualdez in a statement.
However, he said that locals should still practice minimum public health and safety protocols such as wearing their masks, washing their hands, and observing physical distance.
He also urged the Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to prescribe health protocols to help WHO strengthen its move to lift the global health emergency declaration.
DOH and IATF-EID on Saturday said they would meet to discuss and reassess pandemic policies and guidelines.
“I think our people have learned to live with the virus. Though there is no wear-face-mask mandate, many of them continue to wear masks and observe physical distancing. They are aware of the residual threat, and they are not letting their guard down,” he said.
Romualdez also pointed out that WHO’s move “should pave the way for us to sustain our economic growth or even take the economy to a higher growth path for the benefit of our people, especially the poor.”
“It should translate to increased mobility, more economic activities, and therefore additional job and income opportunities for our workers and their families,” he explained.
Romualdez added that the decision could also result in more tourist arrivals in the country.
“Let the concerned government agencies and sectors of the economy prepare for this possibility, which will benefit tourist destinations and local communities,” he said.
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