MANILA – The Philippines and Singapore have agreed to strengthen cooperation in renewable energy, healthcare, digital transformation, and regional integration, after a bilateral meeting between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in Malacañang on Wednesday.
Wong is in Manila for a two-day state visit – his first to the Philippines since assuming office – as both countries mark 56 years of diplomatic relations this year.
“This visit of Prime Minister Wong demonstrates what we already have known for a long time to be true – the robust ties between the Philippines and Singapore and the steadfast camaraderie between Filipinos and Singaporeans are strong and remain strong,” Marcos said in a joint press statement after their meeting.
Singapore was the Philippines’ eighth-largest trading partner in 2024 and remains a top investor in the country.
It also hosts approximately 220,000 Filipinos, many working in healthcare and domestic services.
Partners vs. climate change
Marcos and Wong confirmed that their countries would move forward with an implementing agreement on a carbon credits mechanism aligned with the Paris Agreement.
The initiative is expected to spur climate-friendly investments and sustainable livelihoods.
“We are likewise seeking further achievements in our renewable energy sector, acknowledging how Singapore will remain a major partner in our aspiration to diversify our energy sources,” Marcos said.
“I encourage Singapore to increase its investments in the renewable energy sector as part of our forward-looking bilateral agenda.”
Wong, meanwhile, said Singaporean companies are interested in solar and wind projects in the Philippines, citing regional collaboration on the ASEAN Power Grid to enhance energy resilience.
Health deal in the offing
Marcos and Wong also highlighted expanding collaboration in healthcare, including a planned bilateral agreement and support for Filipino healthcare workers in Singapore.
“As we continue to promote collaboration and innovation and facilitate training and exchanges between our health experts, we hope to soon conclude a bilateral agreement with Singapore on health cooperation,” Marcos said.
Wong acknowledged the contributions of Filipino workers, particularly during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, saying that Singapore is working on programs to help healthcare workers upskill and reintegrate into the Philippine system.
ASEAN goals
The two leaders also committed to close coordination on regional priorities, including the Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN in 2026.
Both leaders underscored the importance of ASEAN unity, economic integration, and multilateralism.
“We exchanged views on what we can further do together to make ASEAN communities stronger and more resilient, bound by our shared commitment to free trade and the value of multilateralism,” Marcos said.
Wong also noted the city-state’s support for the Philippines’ digital governance agenda, including leadership training for the Civil Service Commission through the National University of Singapore.
Both leaders expressed appreciation for each other’s long-standing commitments.
Marcos thanked Singapore for its assistance during the onslaught of a typhoon in the Philippines in October 2024, its role in wildlife conservation, particularly the Philippine Eagle, and its support for overseas Filipino workers.
The President also congratulated Singapore ahead of its 60th independence anniversary this August.
“Your remarkable progress over six decades to become one of the world’s most stable, most admired countries is indeed an achievement worth celebrating – and for the Philippines, worth emulating,” he said. (PNA)
Source: PNA
