Ateneo Policy Center presents study on the Philippine COVID-19 Experience On Lockdowns In Singapore Conference

On July 29, 2022, Ateneo Policy Center Research Associate and Program Coordinator Sheena Valenzuela participated as a speaker of ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute's conference titled "COVID-19 in Southeast Asia 2020-2022: Restriction, Relief, Recovery". Her presentation, titled "Economics of Lockdown: Balancing Health and the Economy in the Philippines", is based on a book chapter co-authored with former Dean Dr. Ronald U. Mendoza.

In her presentation, Ms. Valenzuela discussed the country’s stringent COVID-19 response, imposition of on-again-off-again lockdowns that severely affected the economy, and issues on vaccination progress. Ms. Valenzuela concluded her presentation by underscoring the importance of pursuing not only more effective containment strategies but well-coordinated economic and social protection. She also highlighted the importance of strengthening the country’s health system to effectively respond and prepare for future crises.

The conference invited speakers from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam to present their analyses on their countries' pandemic experience. The discussions centered on four key themes: pandemic management, economic stimulus, policy coordination, and transition economy experience. The presenters highlighted the pivotal challenges and the lessons learned from their respective experiences.

The draft book chapter is linked here.