Silver linings in Philippine history and macroeconomics of the COVID-19 pandemic response: Beyond the longest lockdown

Abstract

The Philippines has been the leading country in Southeast Asia in terms of infections (both in terms of total and active cases) brought forth by the SARS-COV-2 virus, known as the COVID-19 pandemic. We highlight the historical underpinnings of pandemic responses that are related to the Philippines, both globally and locally. We also present some counterfactuals in an economic recession that the pandemic caused. Arguing for fast-track rehabilitation and improvement of digital infrastructure, this development is essential in promoting e-commerce, quality education through remote learning, and the quality of health data generation and analysis. As the world is reminded of the Balmis expedition while the world still grapples to obtain a cure for the pandemic, we look at these tenets of the “new normal” to address issues of social justice in the Philippine setting.