MANILA -- While curbing the impacts of COVID-19 the Duterte administration is likewise preparing the country to bounce back to a more dynamic economy post-pandemic, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on Saturday.

He said the current administration is in the process of laying better foundations to be carried forward and hopefully be improved by the next administration.

“The President will prepare the road for the next administration so that we can bounce back to where we were before the pandemic and even go beyond that in terms of the status of our economy, job creation, social services, peace and order, among others,” he said in an interview.

Secretary Andanar stressed that the remaining 10 months in office of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will be crucial in terms of setting the direction of the country and handing it over to the next leader. He hopes that the next administration will be ready to take on the lead.

“Whatever President Duterte does in the last 10 months of his term will be crucial for the next administration. And we are hoping that the next administration will be post-pandemic already,” he said.

He also called for the full cooperation of the Filipino people as the country grapples against the pandemic and while the government continues to address the needs of the multisectoral public.

“The country has to reach higher milestones. That’s why we are seeking your 100% cooperation. We must be in one direction and embody the spirit of bayanihan,” he said.

“Kumbaga we are preparing the climate for the next administration’s work to rebuild our country from the effects of the COVID-19 [We are preparing the climate for the next administration to rebuild our country from the effects of COVID-19],” he added. (PCOO)