Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque responded with optimistic hope to World Bank’s grim forecast of the country’s economy due to setbacks brought by the COVID-19 crisis and recent typhoons that hit the Philippines.
“Nalulungkot po tayo sa pagbagal ng ekonomiya dahil ibig sabihin ay marami ang maghihirap. Pero iyan naman po ay naging resulta ng pandemya at mga sigalot na sunod-sunod na dumaan sa ating bansa,” Roque said when asked for a reaction on the projection.
The World Bank released its latest projection stating that the Philippines’ economy will shrink by 8.1% this year due to the pandemic and devastating typhoons. The international body’s forecast is a little more optimistic than the government’s projection, which is about 8.5 to 9.5% contraction for 2020.
“Kaya po natin ito, babangon tayo. We will do better in 2021. Pagdating sa pandemya, kaya natin ito, sundin natin ang sinasabi ng presidente: mask, hugas, iwas, pag-ingatan ang buhay para sa hanapbuhay,” Roque added.
