Duterte calls for unity against COVID-19, bats for fair, easy access to virus treatment
President Duterte has called for “fair and easy access” to vaccines and treatments for all countries in the event the cure for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is finally found.
He likewise called for international cooperation in the fight against the dreaded disease, saying “there can be no victory if we do not defeat the virus everywhere”.
At the virtual regional summit on COVID-19 Tuesday, the President proposed the start of the discussion on "modalities" on the access to vaccines, apart from setting up a regional reserve for medical
supplies as well as rice supply amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"We are confident our scientists and experts within and outside our region will rise to this colossal challenge. A vaccine and/or treatment must be found sooner rather than later," he said in his message during the special Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit with dialogue partners China, Japan and South Korea on the COVID-19.
“Our duty then and that of relevant multilateral institutions is to make sure that all countries will have fair and easy access to vaccines and treatments. Discussions on modalities should be started,” he said.
Duterte also urged the regional neighbors to enhance scientific cooperation, particularly in the area of vaccine and anti-viral treatment research and development. The Philippines is ready to participate in clinical trials and medical studies of potential vaccines and medicines such as Avigan, he said.
To overcome the “formidable enemy,” the President also pressed for international cooperation in strengthening of the capacity of health care systems, ensuring food security, and preparing for “post-pandemic recovery plan” during the online meeting with other regional leaders.
“'Going it alone' is an exercise in futility and absurdity. There can be no victory if we do not defeat the virus everywhere. We have to choose the intelligent and productive path of cooperation. It is the only way,” he said.
He thanked ASEAN’s dialogue partners for their timely and generous assistance in the time of great need. “We must continue working together to end this pandemic with finality,” he said.
In his remarks, the President expressed support for the creation of regional reserves of medical supplies "to better equip us in this fight." Our most urgent priority is strengthening the capacity of our healthcare systems. We call for the increased production and the facilitation of trade of vital medical equipment and supplies in our region," he said.
Food security to avoid unrest
He also said that regional leaders must also ensure food security to avoid social unrest.
“It is imperative our people do not go hungry. Failure to do so will lead to social unrest with all its attendant complications,” he said.
Duterte also warned against unnecessary trade restrictions on staple foods, such as rice, and other basic commodities that will only be harmful to people. “We have to keep ASEAN markets open and ensure supply chain connectivity. We must also utilize existing mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve,” he added.
With the coronavirus bringing the world to a standstill, Duterte acknowledged the prospect of a global recession. He has proposed the crafting of post-pandemic recovery plan, that involves jumpstarting economic growth and helping marginalized sectors.
“In the Philippines, we are bracing for a significant decline in economic output. We are instituting social safety nets to soften the blow, including subsidies to 18 million families from the marginalized sectors of our society. Simply stated, we are feeding 18 million families as of today,” he said.
“But this will not be enough. We need to rebuild our economies and stimulate growth domestically, regionally, and globally,” he added.
He said it was obvious that the world will not and cannot be the same after the pandemic.
He said a “new normal” must be established using lessons learned from this and other crises.
“The world after COVID-19 need not be a lesser version of the one before it. The elements of international cooperation that will allow us to overcome this challenge will form the basis of how we will engage one another as we create a more resilient world,” he said.
“The Philippines can only heal together as one country. ASEAN can only recover as one region. The world can only bounce back stronger as one global community,” he added.
COVID-19 response fund
During Tuesday’s virtual summit of ASEAN Plus Three (APT) on the COVID-19, the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its three dialogue partners – China, Japan, and South Korea – agreed to come up with a regional coronavirus response fund and establish a reserve of essential medical supplies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ASEAN Plus Three agreed to take strong and collective steps on public health protection, and keep markets open for trade and investments, among others, to fight the spread of COVID-19 and address its socio-economic impact.
In a joint statement, the APT leaders agreed to “ensure adequate financing to contain the pandemic and protect our peoples, including through the proposed establishment of the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund for public health emergencies.” The funds will be reallocated from existing ASEAN+1 and APT cooperation funds, with possible additional support from external partners.
The regional leaders also committed to consider seeing “an APT reserve of essential medical supplies that enables rapid response to emergency needs.”
The group recognized the "unprecedented and severe challenges" posed by the pandemic and pledged to "strengthen solidarity, enhance cooperation and mutual support among the APT countries to control and contain the spread of the pandemic, addressing the adverse impact of the pandemic on our societies and economies."
An early warning system in the region for pandemics and other epidemic diseases, sharing of best practices, and providing technical support to prevent, contain, and treat infected cases will also be strengthened by
ASEAN and its three dialogue partners.
Enhanced capacities National and regional capacities will be enhanced to prepare and respond to public health threats, including the protection of health workers, provision of adequate medicines, medical equipment and supplies "by adhering to objectives of efficacy, safety, and accessibility."
The group also agreed to strengthen cooperation on research, development, and distribution of anti-viral medicines and vaccines, promising to ensure efficiency, safety, equity, accessibility, and affordability.
On human resources and capacity for public health sector, they committed to support the upgrading of health facilities, training of public health workers, and provision of scholarships for students.
To combat fake news and reduce stigma and discrimination, the leaders committed to step up effective public communication on relevant government policies and public health and safety information.
No trade barriers
To mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the people and economies, the leaders vowed to prevent unnecessary barriers to trade or disruption to regional supply chain. They vowed to “keep markets open for trade and investment” to ensure food security, and stabilize manufacturing and supply of essential goods and services. Duterte had earlier warned against unnecessary trade restrictions on staple foods, such as rice, and other basic commodities.
To keep inter-connectivity in the region, they also agreed to facilitate essential movement of people, including business travels, while safeguarding public health.
Post-pandemic recovery plans will also be strengthened to stimulate economic development, restore growth, and prevent economic recession in the region. The leaders also agreed to implement measures to help people and businesses, especially small businesses and vulnerable groups.
The regional leaders also committed to "stay united on high alert and be ready to take any further action that may be required."
The coronavirus, which originated from Wuhan, China, has so far infected more than 1.9 million people globally, and left 126,681 people dead based on the tracker run by Johns Hopkins University.
In the APT group, China has the most number of coronavirus cases at 83,351, followed by South Korea with 10,591 cases, and Japan with 7,885.
As of April 14, the Philippines has recorded 5,223 cases of infections, Malaysia has 4,937 cases, while Indonesia reported 4,839.