President Rodrigo Duterte delivers a speech during the 69th founding anniversary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City on Jan. 29, 2020. ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday expressed optimism that the Covid-19 pandemic could be defeated through strong partnership among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
“Bouncing back from a pandemic appears to be a daunting task, but if pursued with friends, the burden is shared and transformed into an opportunity to create a more resilient Southeast Asian region,” Duterte said as the Asean marked its 53rd year.
The Philippines has recorded 126,885 Covid-19 cases as of Aug. 8— the most among Asean member-states.
It was followed by Indonesia (121,226), Singapore (54,797), Malaysia (9,063), Thailand (3,345), Vietnam (750), Myanmar (359), Cambodia (243), Brunei Darussalam (142) and Laos (20).
Duterte affirmed the Philippines’ commitment to work together with other Asean member-states and strengthen partnerships with allies outside the region.
“We are confident that the Asean way of partnership and mutual aid will help us overcome the Covid-19 pandemic and move forward with our community-building endeavors,” Duterte added.
Asean was formed in 1967 by the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
Brunei joined in 1984, Vietnam joined in 1995, Laos and Burma joined in 1997 and Cambodia joined in 1999, bringing the total member-states to 10. John Ezekiel J. Hirro