The Philippines jumped to 33rd place in the Nikkei COVID-19 Recovery Index, which ranks 121 countries based on their capability to reach a recovered state.
The index defines a "recovered" state as one with low virus transmission, low death rates, high vaccine coverage, and few movement restrictions.
"Vietnam and the Philippines logged their best performances in Nikkei's COVID-19 Recovery Index for May, as both countries managed to ease restrictions while keeping infections low," Nikkei, a Tokyo-based news magazine, said in its report.
The report noted the "consistent decline" in new COVID-19 infections in the country, with low to no. confirmed deaths in recent weeks.
It also noted the country's "safe numbers" despite borders being opened to international tourists for four months, with thousands arriving daily.
The country's 33rd spot is much higher than its 57th place back in December 2021 and is a definite improvement after it placed last back in September 2021.
The Philippines now ranks higher than other nations including Switzerland (38), Israel (44), Japan (53), United Kingdom (58), Canada (60), Australia (71), Hong Kong, China (71), New Zealand (75), Singapore (79), and the United States (89).
In a statement, the Department of Health (DOH) welcomed the development, citing the improvement to people's compliance to minimum public health standards and surveillance systems of the government against COVID-19.
"The DOH has always been aware that the COVID-19 pandemic response is more marathon than sprint. We are carefully pacing ourselves using the whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach, led by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte," said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in a statement.
"As the current administration ends, we are confident that the next administration and its incoming Secretary of Health will continue or even improve our march to recovery in the New Normal," he added.
President-elect Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has yet to name his health secretary, but Duque previously said they are already ready and waiting to sit down for the transition once the new chief is identified.
The DOH recently confirmed the local transmission of the COVID-19 Omicron BA.5 subvariant, but Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they have yet to confirm if there is community transition of the new subvariant.
