President Duterte said he is praying to God that the new coronavirus (COVID-19) Omicron variant will not reach the Philippines and is hoping that the country will be able to manage if the new more contagious strain will reach local shores.
Duterte made the statement as more countries report cases of the Omicron variant that was first discovered in South Africa.
In his pre-recorded public address on Monday evening, December 6, the President said he is happy that the Philippines is doing good compared to other countries.
"I am very happy na bumababa na talaga (I am very happy that our COVID-19 cases are going down)," he said.
"That's a miracle because other countries are still reeling from the effect-- parang nagkaroon sila ng problema sa Omicron (it seemed that they are having trouble with Omicron)," he added.
According to the President, he is praying that the Philippines will not have to deal with the new COVID-19 variant.
"We are not hoping for the best but we pray to God that it (Omicron variant) will not come to our shores," he said.
"But if ever na magdating (it comes here), I hope we can cope with as much as we did with COVID-19," he added.
The Philippines has placed 14 countries on its red list for reasons including the confirmed cases of the Omicron variant.
The government has also updated its testing and quarantine protocols for foreign travelers and suspended the order allowing the entry of foreigners into the country.