The government is committed to working towards "inclusive and sustainable recovery," particularly by helping the country's marginalized and vulnerable population, as the pandemic continues to deal heavy blows on the country.

According to President Duterte, the government "used all means" to assist the country's poor and other vulnerable sectors and will continue to improve social safety nets and health care system in the country.

Duterte tackled the government's pandemic response and recovery efforts when he spoke before the virtual international conference organized by Japan's Nikkei Inc. Friday, May 21.

"Inclusive and sustainable recovery requires people-centered and holistic responses. The Philippine government used all means at its disposal to help the marginalized and vulnerable," he said. "We are working to reduce health (inequities) through enhanced social safety nets. Universal health coverage is central to my administration’s development agenda," he said.

As more coronavirus cases are reported in the country, Duterte said the government is also committed to "strengthening our public health system." He welcomed external partners willing to build "more responsive and extensive health delivery networks."

In citing the importance of people-centered national response, Duterte acknowledged that the pandemic has exposed "long-standing" social inequalities and systemic problems.

"In good times, these inequalities were obscured by high levels of economic growth. But the many we raised out of poverty just as easily fell back when our economy took a hit," he said.

Duterte also discussed plans to reinforce food security, agricultural modernization, and digital economy as the country reels from the pandemic's effects.

To promote growth and protect stakeholders in the agriculture sector, he said the government made "timely interventions" such as technological innovations in agriculture and establishing agro-industrial business corridors. "Food security is an essential pillar of social stability and order," he added.

Duterte likewise used the global forum to seek investments in the country's agriculture and digital economy sectors. He said the government aims to accelerate the modernization of the agricultural sector. "Japanese investment is most welcome," he added.

Saying the country is interested to participate in the global digital economy, Duterte also invited more investments "to expand e-commerce and facilitate new modes of interaction and exchange in a safe and secure cyberspace."

The country recently saw an alarming surge in coronavirus cases, prompting the government to tighten movement curbs to stem the case spike and prevent the collapse of the health care system. Financial aid has also been distributed to millions of Filipinos affected by the recent strict lockdown in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

As cases of infections started to slow down, the government recently started to gradually relax the quarantine restrictions while stepping up vaccination efforts to contain the spread of the virus. The government's goal is to inoculate 58 million Filipinos to reach herd immunity before the end of the year.