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| The President said the country is losing P2 billion per day because of the pandemic, an amount he said would have gone to workers’ paychecks if economic activities were not disrupted. (Photo from PCOO/Released) |
[Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] MANILA — Philippines’ economy is in “bad shape” due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the government is doing its best to keep things afloat, President Duterte said during a pre-recorded public address, PhilStar reported. The President said the country is losing P2 billion per day because of the pandemic, an amount he said would have gone to workers’ paychecks if economic activities weren’t disrupted.
“So we are sinking deeper and deeper, but we are not alone. Everyone is experiencing it. But we are trying our very best to keep us afloat,” the President said “Our economy, my countrymen, is really in bad condition. Imagine, how many people do not have work? The economy of the Philippines is really – in bad shape. But as I have said, it is not only the Philippines who suffer. We, in the world, are suffering with everybody,” he added.
Duterte maintained that the Philippine economy was doing fine until the COVID-19 crisis came and constrained state revenues. And despite the economic slowdown, Duterte said Filipinos should not overemphasize hardships. He likewise assured the public that government officials are continuously working to acquire COVID-19 vaccines. He said it would be better not to rub in the face of the country’s poverty, because “we’re still alive… Let us just hope for the best.”
