SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez called on leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to join hands for enhanced trade and investment among Member States.

This is to sustain the region’s economic growth and create more jobs and business opportunities, as well as improved services, to uplift the lives of their citizens.

“As we navigate the post-pandemic era, we must enhance trade and investment among ASEAN countries, prioritize expanding and diversifying our economies, and develop digital infrastructure and supply chains,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez led the Philippine delegation of the ASEAN Interparliamentary Assembly (AIPA), during the regional lawmakers’ interface with ASEAN heads of state on the first day of the 42nd ASEAN Summit at the Meruorah Convention Center, in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia.

“These actions will improve connectivity among our nations, facilitate the movement of goods, services, and people, and promote greater cooperation in areas such as science and technology, innovation, and human capital development. By doing so, we can enhance the competitiveness of our economies and position ourselves for sustained growth,” Romualdez said.

In his intervention during the AIPA-ASEAN interface, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. recognized the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation in synergizing regional efforts in tackling shared challenges.

The President recommended maintaining open communication and effective collaboration between the executive and legislative bodies to harmonize the laws and regulations across the region.

The House leader’s call echoed the theme of the 42nd ASEAN Summit: “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.”

Earlier, Romualdez noted that the declaration World Health Organization ending its designation of COVID-19 as a public health emergency should pave the way for sustained economic growth for everyone’s benefit, particularly the poor.

“It should translate to increased mobility, more economic activities, and therefore additional job and income opportunities for our workers and their families,” the House leader said.

In addition to post-pandemic recovery efforts, ASEAN must also strive to put focus on healthcare and social protection to protect their people from the economic and social impacts of the pandemic, he stressed.

He said ASEAN executive and legislative leaders must “acknowledge the importance of working together towards our shared goals through shared responsibility and collective action.”

“The Philippine Congress and our esteemed President, His Excellency Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. share this commitment,” he pointed out.

Speaker Romualdez said in their gathering ASEAN leaders must seize “the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to building a sustainable and resilient future for all of our citizens.”

On Monday, the eve of his departure for Indonesia, Romualdez exhorted members of the House of Representatives to work even harder to pass more pro-people bills included in the priority measures of the administration of President Marcos, in addition to those earlier adopted by the Legislative-Executive Advisory Council (LEDAC).

Several of these additional priority measures are related to the government’s effort to spur faster economic growth and enhanced social protection in the post-pandemic era such as the following: Ease of Paying Taxes, Maharlika Investment Fund, Amendment to Universal Health Care Act, Infrastructure Development Plan/Build Build Build Program, National Employment Action Plan, and Amendment to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act.