Taguig City & Makati City
August 16, 2024

Continuing his three-day State Visit to the Philippines, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam of the Republic of Singapore graces a briefing hosted by the City Government of Taguig and Temasek Foundation on August 16, 2024.

Temasek Foundation is a non-profit philanthropic arm of Singapore’s state sovereign fund, Temasek Holdings, which supports impact-driven programs and strategies to uplift the lives and meet the needs of communities in Singapore and beyond.

The event serves as a tangible expression of commitment of Temasek Foundation and Singapore’s KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital — its leading hospital that specializes in women and children’s health care — as it officially signed an agreement with the City Government of Taguig to develop collaborative programs in improving the City’s maternal and child care.

Among the key priorities of this partnership are addressing maternal and neonatal mortality, establishing a thriving maternal and child health system, and elevating to world-class standard the milk bank and nutrition program of the City.

Following the briefing, President Shanmugaratnam proceeds to meet a community of Singaporeans currently residing in the Philippines, some for their businesses while some were born and raised in the country, during a National Day of Reception at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City.

In his brief remarks, the Singaporean leader shares his successful meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Malacañan Palace yesterday where they were presented with two (2) signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and had a discussion on other areas for cooperation geared towards further strengthening ties between their two nations.

He likewise acknowledges the contributions of overseas Filipinos in Singapore, particularly in the health sector where Filipino medical workers played a tremendous role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is President Shanmugaratnam’s first visit to the country in an official capacity as Singapore’s new Head of State. His trip coincided with the commemoration of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Singapore this year, which was formally established on May 16, 1969.

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