By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
On Monday (Nov. 18), House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on the first day of his two-day official visit to Cambodia to pursue the commitment of both countries to enhancing cooperation in rice trade, tourism, security, and defense.
With the Philippines’ vulnerability to increasingly violent tropical storms, such as the recent Super Typhoon Pepito and Typhoon Kristine, along with other climate-related disruptions that impact our agricultural sector, Romualdez said ensuring a stable and affordable rice supply has become a national priority.
“Collaborating with Cambodia, a leading rice exporter, will help us secure a steady supply of this vital commodity. Strengthening our food security not only protects Filipino families but also ensures our resilience in the face of extreme weather events,” Speaker Romualdez said.
He noted that despite increasing local rice production, the Philippines still relies on imports to ensure a steady supply, depending largely on Vietnam and Thailand, emphasizing that during the bilateral meeting between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Cambodian PM Manet at the sidelines of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne in March this year, both sides agreed to boost rice trade between the Philippines and Cambodia, highlighting ongoing efforts to tackle double taxation and improve ease of doing business.
Likewise, in an earlier bilateral meeting between the President and Prime Minister Hun Sen in November 2022 at the sidelines of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, the latter offered to supply rice to the Philippines and also invited the Philippine government to invest in developing Cambodian agriculture implements and infrastructure such as in rice mills and drying facilities.
Beyond rice trade, the dialogue between Speaker Romualdez and then-Prime Minister Hun Manet extended to advancing mutual interests in tourism and people-to-people exchanges, as well as working closely on issues affecting regional peace and security.
“Let me assure Your Excellency that the House of Representatives remains ready to enhance and deepen our ties with the National Assembly of Cambodia through various initiatives under the Philippines-Cambodia Parliamentarians Friendship Group, Inc.,” Speaker Romualdez said.
The House Speaker said his official visit marks a significant step forward in the Philippines-Cambodia bilateral relationship, as he also expressed his optimism about the enduring partnership between the two nations.
“I look forward to joining President Marcos in welcoming you to the Philippines in February for your official visit,” Romualdez told the Cambodian PM.
“As close neighbors and ASEAN partners, the Philippines and Cambodia share a mutual aspiration for growth and security. By working together, we can unlock new opportunities and create a better future for our peoples,” Speaker Romualdez said. (With report from Mela Lesmoras/PTV News)
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