PH Embassy, ASEAN Committee in Santiago Discuss Chile’s Post-Pandemic Future

Philippine Ambassador to Chile Ma. Teresita C. Daza (second row, with Philippine flag), Consul General Marcos A.S. Punsalang (bottom row, right) and Consul Dennis John C. Briones (third row, rightmost) join the rest of the ASEAN Committee in Santiago (ACS) in discussions with Director of the Center for International Studies of the Pontificia Universidad Católica of Chile Dr. Jorge Karmy Sahd. (Santiago PE photo)

SANTIAGO 04 June 2020 – As part of the Philippine Embassy in Santiago’s efforts to understand the political and socio-economic impact of the Chilean crisis of 2019 and now the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Embassy joined the rest of the ASEAN Committee in Santiago (ACS) in an online meeting to discuss the current crisis and Chile’s post-pandemic future.

The online meeting conducted via Google Meet was entitled “From Social Outburst to Pandemic: What is the Future of Chilean Politics?” and featured Director of the Center for International Studies of the Pontificia Universidad Católica of Chile Dr. Jorge Karmy Sahd. The Philippine Embassy was represented by Philippine Ambassador to Chile Ma. Teresita C. Daza, Consul General Marcos A.S. Punsalang, and Consul Dennis John C. Briones. Discussions were facilitated by the Embassy of Thailand as current ACS Chair. 

Professor Sahd highlighted Chile’s efforts in trying to contain the pandemic, specifically the country’s shift to more targeted quarantine measures. He expressed optimism that Chile’s sound macroeconomic fundamentals—especially as compared to its Latin American neighbors—would help mitigate the long-term economic impact of the pandemic. With regard to the implication of the health crisis on domestic politics, he opined that it actually served as an opportunity for all parties to take stock of what is truly important for the country and to focus on post-pandemic recovery.

Replying to a query from Ambassador Daza on what to expect after the two successive crises, Professor Sahd explained that Chile has so far managed the socio-economic impact of the crisis well and is expected to continue doing so. He also said that the President should act as a unifying figure to stir the country in efforts to survive the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the market and daily Chilean life.

The ACS is composed of the Embassies of the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The group continues to explore other online programs similar to the one recently conducted while quarantine and social distancing measures are in place in Santiago. END

For more information, visit https://www.santiagope.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinChile.