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GLOBAL CRISIS, REGIONAL RESPONSE “COVID-19 will not be the last pandemic the world will face,” says President Duterte as he joined other leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) at a special summit on the coronavirus crisis held via video conference on Tuesday. ASEAN member states have a total of 19,887 coronavirus cases as of Monday, with 844 deaths and 5,077 recoveries. —MALACAÑANG PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Warning that the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) would not be the latest pandemic, President Rodrigo Duterte pressured Southeast Asian nations to expand existing mechanisms in the region to respond to public health emergencies.
The President called at a special summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) on COVID-19, a meeting of state leaders held for the first time through virtual platforms.
“COVID-19 will not be the last pandemic the world will face. We have to be prepared for future outbreaks. Therefore, we have to improve and expand Asean’s existing mechanisms to cover public health emergencies,” Duterte urged his fellow leaders. through videoconference.
The President pointed out that although the measures implemented by member countries address the problems of the “here and now”, such measures were not enough and that ASEAN must “look forward”.
Eyed early warning system
He continued: “Specifically, we should establish an early warning system for pandemics in the region. This is something vital and concrete that we can
do collectively. “
The President also welcomed Thailand’s proposal to establish an ASEAN COVID-19 response fund and expressed support for research and development initiatives to develop a vaccine or treatment for the disease.
“Without a vaccine or a cure, we can only delay the spread of the disease. But containment, in whatever form and degree, will have staggering socioeconomic implications for all of us. Therefore, it is imperative that we support vaccines and research and development initiatives, ”he said.
Duterte added: “For its part, the Philippines is ready to join solidarity with clinical trials for COVID-19 treatment.”
The entire ASEAN has a total of 19,887 cases with 844 deaths and 5,077 recoveries as of Monday.
The Philippines tops the list with 5,223 COVID-19 infections, 335 deaths and 295 recoveries. Laos was the least affected with only 19 cases and no deaths.
This year’s ASEAN summit was hosted by Vietnam.
During the ASEAN special summit on COVID-19, Mr. Duterte described the COVID-19 crisis as an “unprecedented, devastating and developing catastrophe” that is “overturning our entire way of life” and “threatens with demanding the highest tolls in our towns and our economies. “
The President noted that the nations decision to implement blockades and close borders created barriers to mobility and trade, although it was necessary,
“It could separate our societies and the international community at large.”
He called on the region to cooperate for an “effective strategic response” and to collaborate within the region and beyond, rather than “withdraw from regional and global connections.”
In particular, the President underscored the need to increase the production of vital drugs, equipment and medical supplies and to allow for intra-regional trade in these.
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