Sen. Go lauds PRRD on boosting ties with Vietnam
Published May 28, 2020 12:00 am
By Mario Casayuran
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go today lauded President Rodrigo Duterte’s independent foreign policy and for reaffirming stronger regional cooperation with Vietnam especially on the common fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and in ensuring stable long-term rice supply for the Philippines.
(Office of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go / MANILA BULLETIN)
Go, a former Special Assistant President Duterte, cited the President’s commitment to continue nurturing strategic mutually beneficial relationship with neighboring countries while maintaining an independent foreign policy.
“Naniniwala ako na sa mga hakbang na ito, hindi lamang napapatatag ang ating ugnayan sa bansang Vietnam kundi nagtutulungan tayo sa ating mga kasamahan sa ASEAN (Association of Southeast Nations) region para mapalakas ang ating laban kontra COVID-19,’’ he said. (I believe in these measures, these will not only stabilize our relations with Vietnam but it also strengthen cooperation among ASEAN member nations in the fight against COVID-19.)
Go, who was also present during the telephone conversation between President Duterte and Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on Tuesday, May 26, witnessed both leaders tackling issues regarding the assurance of adequate long-term supply of rice and of critical medical equipment to combat COVID-19 for the Philippines. Go is chairman of the Senate health and demography committee.
The two leaders, according to Go, also discussed the mobilization of ASEAN mechanisms to ensure critical medical supplies and equipment, such as the ASEAN Response Fund and ASEAN Regional Reserve Medical Supplies.
He emphasized that one of the key aspects of the Philippines-Vietnam cooperation is the long-term basis of the supply of rice at competitive prices.
“Bukod rito, napag-usapan din ang isyu tungkol sa supply ng medical equipment kung saan tutulong din ang Vietnam sa atin. At nagpapasalamat tayo sa bansang Vietnam, lalo na kay Prime Minister Phúc,’’ he said. (Aside from this, they have also tackled the issue about the supply of medical equipment wherein Vietnam has committed to help us. And we are grateful to Vietnam, especially to Prime Minister Phúc.)
The Vietnamese leader also took the opportunity to cite the Philippine government’s comprehensive approach in fighting the pandemic, saying “We appreciate the strong measures of the Philippines in fighting COVID-19, including preventing community transmission, implementing community quarantine measures and providing social protection to the Filipino people.”
The teleconference requested by Prime Minister Phúc, who is also leading the chairmanship of Vietnam in the ASEAN network, also tackled on how both countries could work together in mobilizing ASEAN mechanisms to ensure that the Southeast Asian region can secure the health and food supply for all of its citizens.
“We appreciate this call and commitment from Vietnam. It truly sends a strong message that in the ASEAN region, we are one in fighting not just the COVID-19 pandemic but also the need for all nations in the region to work together to come out stronger in terms of economic and social cooperation,” Go said.
(Office of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go / MANILA BULLETIN)
Go, a former Special Assistant President Duterte, cited the President’s commitment to continue nurturing strategic mutually beneficial relationship with neighboring countries while maintaining an independent foreign policy.
“Naniniwala ako na sa mga hakbang na ito, hindi lamang napapatatag ang ating ugnayan sa bansang Vietnam kundi nagtutulungan tayo sa ating mga kasamahan sa ASEAN (Association of Southeast Nations) region para mapalakas ang ating laban kontra COVID-19,’’ he said. (I believe in these measures, these will not only stabilize our relations with Vietnam but it also strengthen cooperation among ASEAN member nations in the fight against COVID-19.)
Go, who was also present during the telephone conversation between President Duterte and Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on Tuesday, May 26, witnessed both leaders tackling issues regarding the assurance of adequate long-term supply of rice and of critical medical equipment to combat COVID-19 for the Philippines. Go is chairman of the Senate health and demography committee.
The two leaders, according to Go, also discussed the mobilization of ASEAN mechanisms to ensure critical medical supplies and equipment, such as the ASEAN Response Fund and ASEAN Regional Reserve Medical Supplies.
He emphasized that one of the key aspects of the Philippines-Vietnam cooperation is the long-term basis of the supply of rice at competitive prices.
“Bukod rito, napag-usapan din ang isyu tungkol sa supply ng medical equipment kung saan tutulong din ang Vietnam sa atin. At nagpapasalamat tayo sa bansang Vietnam, lalo na kay Prime Minister Phúc,’’ he said. (Aside from this, they have also tackled the issue about the supply of medical equipment wherein Vietnam has committed to help us. And we are grateful to Vietnam, especially to Prime Minister Phúc.)
The Vietnamese leader also took the opportunity to cite the Philippine government’s comprehensive approach in fighting the pandemic, saying “We appreciate the strong measures of the Philippines in fighting COVID-19, including preventing community transmission, implementing community quarantine measures and providing social protection to the Filipino people.”
The teleconference requested by Prime Minister Phúc, who is also leading the chairmanship of Vietnam in the ASEAN network, also tackled on how both countries could work together in mobilizing ASEAN mechanisms to ensure that the Southeast Asian region can secure the health and food supply for all of its citizens.
“We appreciate this call and commitment from Vietnam. It truly sends a strong message that in the ASEAN region, we are one in fighting not just the COVID-19 pandemic but also the need for all nations in the region to work together to come out stronger in terms of economic and social cooperation,” Go said.