Marcos hails outgoing UN Rep. Gonzalez over help in COVID-19 pandemic, BARMM
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President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. extended his gratitude to outgoing United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator to the Philippines Gustavo González over his help during the COVID-19 pandemic and engagements related to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Marcos made the remark in a farewell ceremony in Malacañang on Friday, according to a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office.
"You did so much between the UN and the Philippines," Marcos was quoted as saying.
"I was looking at the time that you were here. There's a very, very large increase in engagements between the United Nations and the Philippines – specifically COVID, the BARMM," the President said, addressing Gonzalez.
In response, Gonzalez told Marcos that apart from vacating his post as resident coordinator for the Philippines, he will also be retiring from his service in the UN.
"Mr. President, thank you so much. I very much appreciate your time but today is also my last day as a UN active officer. So I’m going to retire. No doubt that the Philippines will be in my heart because this is a special moment for me," he said.
Gonzalez served as UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Philippines for nearly five years.
Prior to this, he served as the United Nations Development Programme's Sub-Regional Development Coordinator for the Syria-related crisis, overseeing operations in Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Turkey.—Hana Bordey/AOL, GMA Integrated News