By Brian Campued
“Malayo ang biyahe at ang oras ay laging kulang. Ang mahalaga ay ating maipaabot ang mga prayoridad ng ating pamahalaan at na hindi masayang ang pagkakataon na palawigin ang pagkakaibigan para sa mas masiglang komersyo, kooperasyon, at pagtutulungan.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., along with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, on Wednesday night departed for his official visit to Canada upon the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Joseph Carney.
In his speech delivered at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, President Marcos Jr. underscored the importance of further strengthening the 77-year-strong diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Canada, which was established on Dec. 4, 1949.
Marcos also noted the two countries’ strong partnership across a broad range of priority areas, including economic cooperation, defense and security, agriculture, and people-to-people ties.
“At the onset of my administration, we intensified our campaign for diversification of partnerships, strengthening existing ones, and building new strategic ones. With Canada, we have seen unprecedented momentum in the deepening of bilateral relations,” he said.
“My visit will build on this very positive trajectory as we pursue new collaborations in niche areas, such as in mining, critical minerals, and renewable energy,” he added.
The President cited Ottawa’s continued support for Manila as it advances its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea as well as the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation in 2024, followed by the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement in 2025.
He also mentioned the ongoing negotiations for Philippines-Canada Free Trade Agreement as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Canada Free Trade Agreement to boost economic cooperation between the two countries and the regional bloc.
Marcos said he will have a series of meetings with Carney to pursue more collaborations and “lay the broad strokes of the plan of action” to be crafted by the two countries’ foreign affairs departments.
“This Plan of Action will shape the next phase of our bilateral relations and ensure the sustained and dynamic growth of our partnership in the years to come,” he said.
Amid shifting global realities, including the situation in the Middle East, Marcos said he and Carney will discuss the importance of multilateralism to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
The two leaders will likewise discuss the Philippines’ goals as this year’s ASEAN chair on ensuring energy and food security, strengthening maritime cooperation, and promoting the safety of ASEAN nationals.
“I will convey the Philippines’ keen interest in continuing its regional work with Canada through the ASEAN-Canada Dialogue and other ASEAN mechanisms,” he said.
The Chief Executive is also scheduled to meet with Canadian business leaders and investors to promote investment opportunities in high-growth industries, such as the mining sector, nuclear energy, ITBPM, telecommunications, cyber technology, and financial services, among others.
“I intend to hold one-on-one business meetings and participate in roundtable discussions with private sector leaders for this purpose,” he said.
Marcos is also expected to engage with the Filipino community in Vancouver, recognizing their valuable contributions to both countries as the Philippines’ “ambassadors”.
As the President undertakes his official visit to Canada until July 4, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, and Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Francis Tolentino were appointed as caretakers of the government to oversee and ensure the operations of the Executive branch. (with report from Kenneth Paciente / PTV News)
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