WASHINGTON D.C. – SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez has expressed the Philippine government’s deep gratitude to the United States (US) for helping the Philippines fight the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Romualdez conveyed the country’s sincere appreciation and thanks during a meeting with the State Department’s Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink in Washington DC on Tuesday afternoon (US time).

“We are thankful that our alliance has remained robust, and I believe that an enhanced dialogue between the US and the Philippines would help cement the bond of friendship that we have forged throughout the years,” Romualdez said.

“As we both affirm the strengthening of Philippine-US partnership today, we would like to seize this occasion also to extend our gratitude for the continued cooperation to our country as well as your valuable assistance in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” Romualdez said.

He assured Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink that the Philippine House of Representatives “remains committed in supporting measures that would help deepen cooperation with the United States particularly in the areas of supply chain, health and security, environment and climate change, energy security, and interconnectivity.”

“I am confident that our meeting today would further lead to stronger relations between our countries, and would help attain peace and prosperity in the entire Asia-Pacific region,” the Speaker said.

Romualdez said he met with the US official to broaden and strengthen the engagement between the two countries, and bolster ongoing and future bilateral initiatives, particularly in the area of economic cooperation.