The Parliament’s communication office reported that Romualdez made the call in his speech at the plenary session of the 44th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, which is being held in Indonesia.

The House Speaker said that there must be greater solidarity and cooperation among the regional bloc’s member States to maintain the momentum of the post-pandemic economic recovery and reduce poverty amid global obstacles.

High inflation and global economic slowdown pose a major threat to growth trajectory prospects; therefore, the path to greater prosperity lies through greater regional and interdependent cooperation, he stressed.

High food and oil prices, in particular, have affected households’ ability to purchase other discretionary items.

These issues heighten the urgency for ASEAN member States to take steps to build resilient, sustainable and inclusive long-term growth, Romualdez added.

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