By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. concluded his three-day working visit in Singapore on Thursday, highlighting the strength of Philippines-Singapore relations despite global shocks and geopolitical tensions.
In his post-visit statement, President Marcos Jr. said that his visit to the Southeast Asian country from July 14 to 16 had been productive as he held meetings with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Singaporean business executives, and attended a roundtable discussion with regional business leaders.
“This visit demonstrates the enduring strength of Philippines-Singapore relations, our shared commitment to ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Centrality, and the Philippines’ readiness to serve as a reliable partner in driving growth and innovation across the region,” he said.
In his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Wong at the Istana, Marcos said they discussed expanding cooperation in trade and investment, artificial intelligence (AI), education, healthcare, environmental protection, and people-to-people exchanges.
With the Philippines leading the ASEAN this year and Singapore set to assume the chairship in 2027, the President said he and Wong underscored their commitment to a stronger and more unified regional bloc.
Meanwhile, in his meetings with Singaporean business executives, President Marcos Jr. said he pitched the Philippines as a strategic investment hub in Southeast Asia, supported by a growing digital economy, a skilled workforce, and a strong economic reform agenda.
He said discussions centered on digital technology, telecommunications, data centers, AI, and healthcare, noting that these sectors are vital in enhancing the country’s innovation ecosystem, improving delivery of essential services, and supporting long-term and inclusive economic growth.
The President added that Singtel Group has reaffirmed its long-term commitment through the expansion of NCS Philippines and the continued development of ST Telemedia Global Data Centres’ facilities.
ABC Impact also committed to support the nationwide expansion of AC Health, which is expected to improve access to healthcare services and create thousands of jobs for Filipinos.
“These business engagements… reaffirm Singaporean investors’ strong confidence in the Philippine economy and the support that they will give to our country’s vision of becoming a competitive, innovation-driven, and future-ready investment destination,” President Marcos Jr. said.
During the Milken Institute roundtable, a non-profit and non-partisan think tank that convenes leaders from business, finance, government, and philanthropy to address global economic challenges, the Chief Executive presented the administration’s “Build Better More” infrastructure program and cited the Luzon Economic Corridor as key to transforming the Philippines into a regional hub for advanced manufacturing, electronics, and critical mineral processing.
He also highlighted a series of policy reforms aimed at improving the country’s investment climate, such as the Public-Private Partnership Code and the Green Lanes for Strategic Investments, which are designed to fast-track project approvals and eliminate regulatory bottlenecks.
“As a newly designated upper middle-income country with solid macroeconomic fundamentals, the Philippines offers a secure, transparent, and stable environment for businesses to thrive,” the President emphasized.
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