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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos says 'worst is over' for Covid-19

Marcos says 'worst is over' for Covid-19

Published May 22, 2023 03:46 am
After halting the world for at least two years, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. believes that the threat of Covid-19 is now over as he credited the different scientific breakthroughs that allowed governments to respond to the pandemic. *President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Noel Pabalate)*

Marcos said this during the reception hosted for him by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at its headquarters in Mandaluyong City on Monday morning, May 22. In his speech, the President recognized that Monday's gathering was a "propitious time," especially after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Covid-19 no longer represents a "global health emergency." He said that with the declaration, the world could be reassured that it had already hurdled the worst. However, he noted that the public [should not be complacent](https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/1/marcos-hopes-mandatory-facemask-policy-won-t-return-due-to-rising-covid-cases). "We gather today at a propitious time. Just a few days ago, the WHO official declared that Covid-19 is no longer a public health emergency of international concern," Marcos said. "While the declaration does not mean that we abruptly abandon our universal health protocols, it certainly gave the world the assurance that perhaps the worst is over," he added. Marcos himself is no stranger to the effects of Covid-19 after catching the virus twice, with the second one shortly after he assumed the presidency. When asked how the Philippines would respond to WHO's declaration, Marcos told members of the media on board Philippine Airlines Flight PR 001 that the government ended the Covid-19 emergency status in the country last year. "We did not restore the emergency status of the Philippines. Matagal na, last year pa (We did that a long time ago, last year),: the President said on May 11. "So we don't need to do anything. We are already on normal footing. Nauna pa tayo sa kanila (We're ahead of them)," he added.

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