Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will be in Singapore from July 14 to 16 for a working visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation with a key partner in Southeast Asia.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Monday, July 13, the visit comes as Singapore prepares to assume the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year, making coordination increasingly important.
“Bahagi ito sa pagsulong ng pamahalaan sa mas matatag na bilateral relations ng Pilipinas at Singapore na magsisilbing susunod na chair ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations sa susunod na taon,” she said.
[Translation: The visit is part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the Philippines and Singapore, which will serve as the next chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year.]
Marcos will pay a courtesy call on Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
The two leaders are expected to discuss expanding cooperation in trade and investment, environmental protection, healthcare, and regional and global development, while reaffirming both countries’ commitment to ASEAN centrality and regional stability.
“Patuloy na isusulong ng dalawang lider ang pagpapalawak ng ugnayan ng Pilipinas at Singapore upang makalikha ng mas maraming oportunidad para sa ating mga mamamayan at mapalakas ang kooperasyon sa mga isyung panrehiyon at pandaigdigan,” Castro said.
[Translation: The two leaders will continue to advance closer Philippines-Singapore relations to create more opportunities for their people and strengthen cooperation on regional and global issues.]
Marcos will also participate in the Milken Institute Private Roundtable Discussion at the Philippine Embassy in Singapore, where he is expected to meet with business leaders and investors.
Castro said the roundtable forms part of the administration’s efforts to attract more investments after the Philippines was recently recognized as an upper-middle-income country.
Meanwhile, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will deliver a message at the Global Economic Cooperation East Summit at the invitation of the Future Economic Cooperation Council, an India-based platform that brings together business and government leaders to promote global strategic economic cooperation.
