Duterte to ASEAN: Prioritize health security

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday urged the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) to prioritize health security amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the virtual 37th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, Duterte asked the 10-nation bloc to strengthen health systems by ensuring the unimpeded supply of medical supplies and technologies, and by enhancing early warning systems for health emergencies.

“Let us therefore fast track the implementation of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies, and the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases,” he said.

He further told his Southeast Asian counterparts to work together to ensure that all nations, rich or poor, will have access to safe vaccines.

On the economic front, the President said ASEAN should deepen regional integration and strengthen supply chain connectivity.

He welcomed the conclusion of the negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which aims to create a free trade agreement among ASEAN members - a market of over 600 million people – and with its dialogue partners such as China, South Korea and Japan.

“In mitigating the impact of the pandemic, our actions must be people-centered,” he said.

“The massive displacement of workers, including migrant workers, compels us to upskill and reskill our labor force. We must equip our people for a rapidly evolving labor market under the new normal.”

Duterte also said ASEAN must address the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on women, migrant workers, and other vulnerable sectors.

“We have to adopt gender-responsive measures and strengthen social protection systems. We must also intensify cooperation in promoting and protecting the rights of migrant workers, regardless of their status,” he added.

ASEAN groups the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Vietnam is this year’s ASEAN chair.—AOL, GMA News