Bongbong Marcos: Worst is over for COVID-19; PH can now focus on economic dev’t

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos on Monday remarked that the “worst is over” for COVID-19, and Philippines can now focus on developing its economy.

Marcos made the statement after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 is no longer a global public health emergency, citing “swift breakthroughs” in virology and vaccinology.

“With this development, we can now refocus our plans and priorities and train our sights with renewed vigor, carefully guided by the stinging lessons of the pandemic. We can now refocus our priorities on the development of our economy and the betterment of the lives of ordinary Filipinos,” he said in a speech at the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Nevertheless, Marcos said the Philippines would not “abruptly abandon” its health protocols amid the developments in the pandemic.

READ: COVID-19 no longer a health emergency, says WHO

The President recalled in September last year, upon meeting the ADB Board of Governors, he had highlighted the need for the Philippines to “safely navigate through the waters of the post-pandemic world” and anchor its economy on “the better normal.”

“The pandemic did not blur our national vision that was already very clear to us even before its supervene. Our goal remains to be the same as in pre-pandemic circumstances — our goal is to evolve our economy into one that is defined by sustainability, climate resilience, responsiveness, and, of course, inclusivity,” the President said.

Marcos emphasized how ADB has been a “steadfast ally” that is “ever reliable and unparalleled” in its developmental assistance programs.

He also assured ADB that the plans and projects of the Philippine government are “stringently and are timely executed” and that it will judiciously use the loans and aid granted to it.

“In keeping with our solid partnerships that we have had for decades, we will look to the ADB for crucial developmental intervention in these critical areas. It is our continuing and collective hope that the ADB will continue to be there by our side to lend its support throughout our transformative journey,” he said.

APL/abc