By Brian Jules Campued
The Philippines has set the “right tone” to achieving peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said following his participation in the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne.
In his arrival statement on Wednesday evening, March 6, Marcos pointed out the success of the summit as it provided an avenue for ASEAN member states to discuss regional and international issues.
“As a commemorative summit, it also provided a chance to take stock of how the ASEAN-Australia relationship has progressed in the last [50] years [and] how we may, together, move forward as we advance common values such as peace, environmental stewardship, and how mutual economic progress benefits both Australia and ASEAN,” the President stressed.
Expressing his confidence in advancing the Philippines’ interests, Marcos highlighted several engagements he has undertaken during the four-day official trip, including meetings with Australian business leaders and Indo-Pacific member states, launching the Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) expansion, delivering a keynote speech at the Lowy Institute, and meeting with the Filipino community in Melbourne.
A total of US$1.53 billion, or about P86 billion worth of investment deals, were also secured by the Chief Executive, covering sectors such as renewable energy, clean technology, recycling solutions, housing, IT-BPM infrastructure, medical devices, and digital health services.
“We received strong commitments from some Australian companies in support of our renewable energy and digitalization initiatives,” Marcos added.
Among said Australian firms that want to venture in the Philippine economy was the Macquarie Group Ltd., which is eyeing investments in energy transition, mining, and digitalization efforts in the country.
According to him, the strong interest of Australian companies puts the Philippines in a position to be a “hub for smart and sustainably-driven manufacturing and services.”
“This interest is confirmed in Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, where four key sectors were identified as investment priorities in the Philippines, to wit, agriculture and food, education and skills, resources, and green transition,” Marcos shared.
The ASEAN-Australia Special Summit is the first leader-level engagement under the Chairmanship of Lao PDR, according to Malacañang.
Before concluding his arrival speech, the Chief Executive also maintained the Philippine government’s resolve to continue constructive engagements with ASEAN and Australia, “inasmuch as we tirelessly promote the region’s peace, security, stability, and prosperity, for the well-being of the Filipino people.”
Meanwhile, House Speaker Martin Romualdez lauded the President’s efforts in promoting the country’s national interest by tackling the escalating tension in the West Philippine Sea as well as upholding the rules-based order and peaceful resolution of disputes during the summit’s plenary session.
In a statement, Romualdez noted that Marcos’ assertion of the strategic alliance between the Philippines and Australia exhibited the two nations’ “shared values and mutual interests.”
“This reaffirmation underscores the importance of fostering robust partnerships in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges,” he added.
The lawmaker vowed to support the initiatives the President undertakes to defend the sovereignty of the Philippines.
“President Marcos can count on the unwavering commitment of the House of Representatives in support of his initiatives to preserve peace and stability in the region and his courageous stance in defense of our country’s territory and sovereignty,” he said. -av
