Marcos: WHO declaring end to COVID-19 global health emergency means PH can refocus on economic development

Following the announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) that COVID-19 no longer represents a global health emergency, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Monday that the government could now refocus on the country's economic development.

Marcos mentioned this during a reception hosted by the Asian Development Bank in Mandaluyong City, as he expressed gratitude to the Manila-based lender for all its assistance to the Philippines, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"With this development, we can now refocus our plans and priorities and train our size 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," Marcos said in his speech.

He said, however, that the WHO's declaration does not mean abandoning the universal health protocols.

"Thankfully, because of swift breakthroughs in virology and vaccinology, communities were able to build effective response systems while humanity was able to boost its immune system," Marcos said.

Marcos recalled that when he met with the ADB's Board of Governors in September of last year, he highlighted the need for the Philippines to "safely navigate through the waters of the post-pandemic world."

"The pandemic did not blur our national vision... 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," Marcos said.

A Reuters report said the WHO's emergency committee first declared that COVID represented its highest level of alert on January 30, 2020. The status helps focus international attention on a health threat as well as bolstering collaboration on vaccines and treatments.

Lifting it is a sign of the progress the world has made in these areas, but COVID-19 is here to stay, the WHO has said, even if it no longer represents an emergency.

Meanwhile, Marcos expressed hope that the ADB will continue "to be there by our side to lend its support throughout our transformative journey." —VAL, GMA Integrated News