The NESDC also gave a cool forecast for the recovery, cutting its 2021 growth outlook to 1.5-2.5 percent, from its previous estimate of 2.5-3.5 percent.
The Southeast Asian country also reported 2,044 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 78,855 since the pandemic began last year.
"It's a great day, acknowledged it, and it's in the past now," Patty said. "All I can think about is what can I do tomorrow, what can I improve from today's round?