Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 4) — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday left for his state visits to Indonesia and Singapore, where he expects to “harvest” business deals that could boost the Philippines’ economic recovery.
The trips will take place on Sept. 4 to 7.
“I expect that we will be coming back with a harvest of business deals to be signed in my state visits that will further strengthen our economic ties with both Indonesia and Singapore,” he said in his speech before his departure.
Marcos, who also leads the Department of Agriculture, hopes that the Philippine government could entice Indonesians to invest in the agriculture and energy sectors, which he said are “critical areas.”
Marcos also said he would meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, and witness the signing of agreements covering defense and security, creative economy, and culture.
Several agreements are also expected to be signed during his visit to Singapore. Marcos said the deals are seen to “renew our commitment to deepen bilateral relations, explore options for advancing our economic ties, as well as discuss regional and global issues.”
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte will take charge while Marcos is out of the country. Under Special Order No 75, Marcos designated Duterte as officer-in-charge to oversee the operations in the Office of the President and general administration of the Executive Department.
“All these initiatives that we will undertake on these state visits are very much in line with all of the priority areas that we have identified: the agricultural sector, the guarantee of food supply, the guarantee of prices — food prices that are affordable to ordinary Filipinos, the long-term plans that we have for energy, and the long-term plans that we have for our emergence into the new global economy,” he added.
The Philippine market has been suffering shortages in local farm output of onions, garlic, salt, and sugar.
