President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is again within the Philippines after attending a trilateral summit with the leaders of the US and Japan in Washington.
Marcos and his celebration arrived in Manila at 3:03 a.m. Sunday.
Marcos on the journey met US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
“During our meeting, we reaffirmed our commitment to a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Marcos said.
“We are guided by our shared values of democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and gender equality. We explored ways of enhancing our cooperation in a number of areas of mutual concern, including in enhancing economic resilience and security, promoting inclusive growth and development, addressing climate change and maritime cooperation,” he added.
Marcos mentioned the US and Japan vowed assist for the infrastructure improvement and connectivity within the Philippines by the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, the implementation of the Open Radio Access Network, workforce improvement for the semiconductor business, capability constructing within the peaceable makes use of of nuclear power and the nation’s membership within the Minerals Security Partnership Forum.
“I took the opportunity to update President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida on the latest developments in the South China Sea, including the recent incident at Ayungin Shoal,” Marcos mentioned.
“I also had a bilateral meeting with President Biden, wherein we reaffirmed our commitment to the long-standing Philippines-U.S. alliance,” he added.
Marcos mentioned he additionally met with Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation to debate the nation’s dedication to diversify the Philippines’ power combine to the promotion of unpolluted and power sources.
He additionally talked about assembly with Google executives to debate web infrastructures to assist the nation’s IT-BPM business by secured information flows. Google has dedicated to help Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in constructing a web-based presence, and to coach over 100,000 kids and their mother and father on the accountable use of digital expertise.
A trilateral settlement among the many US, Japan, and the Philippines “is going to change the dynamic, the dynamic that we see in the region, in ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] in Asia, around the South China Sea,” Marcos mentioned Friday throughout a press convention in Washington.
The President additionally mentioned investments from China is not going to be affected by the Trilateral Leaders Summit.
“China will continue whatever investments they choose to make. This is separate from any proposed or potential Chinese investments in the Philippines. How do I see how it will affect? I don’t see that it will affect, one way or the other,” the President instructed reporters in a press convention.
During a business discussion board co-hosted by the US-ASEAN Business Council and the US Chamber of Commerce on Friday night, Marcos additionally appealed to the US to expedite the reauthorization of the Generalized System of Preference (US GSP), which gives preferential, duty-free entry of choose Philippine merchandise to the American market.
Marcos in his arrival assertion additionally enumerated US investments and commitments.
“Over the past year, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency has led to activities worth over $500 million to develop high quality infrastructure in the Philippines. Focusing on renewable energy, smart grids, and healthcare solutions,” he mentioned.
“Similarly, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation has pledged to mobilize private sector investment in critical sectors such as infrastructure and renewable energy with a new $20 million loan, earmarked for affordable housing in the Philippines,” Marcos added.
“Moreover, the recent U.S. Presidential trade and investment mission showcased over $1 billion in combined investments from 22 U.S. companies and organizations during a visit to Manila in March 2024,” he mentioned.
The President mentioned he’s trying ahead to the Indo-Pacific Business Forum to be held on May 21 in Manila which “promises to be a significant platform for fostering infrastructure development and reinforcing economic ties in the region.”
Over 500 senior executives and authorities officers will attend the mentioned discussion board, he added.
“In conclusion, I’m confident that our collaborative efforts will pave the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for the Indo-Pacific region. Together we can harness the power of infrastructure and innovation to drive sustainable development and economic growth,” Marcos mentioned. —NB/KG, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
