Malacañan Palace
February 25, 2025

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Republic of Palau during a bilateral meeting with President Surangel Whipps Jr. at the State Dining Room in Malacañan Palace.

In his opening statement, President Marcos Jr. emphasized that while formal diplomatic relations were established in 1997, the bond between the two nations dates back much earlier. He cited key historical moments, including Palau’s representation in drafting Asia’s first constitution at the Malolos Congress and the Philippines’ support for Palau’s independence in 1978.

“Our formal diplomatic relations may be young. Having been established only in 1997. But our two neighboring nations have had heritage and history in common,” he said.

He highlighted the essential contributions of Filipinos to Palau’s economy and society, noting that the community comprises nearly 17% of the country’s population. He also stressed the importance of completing negotiations for a Bilateral Labor Agreement and a Social Security Agreement within the year to further safeguard and support Filipino workers in Palau.

The Chief Executive also discussed the Philippine Pacific Initiative launched last year to strengthen cooperation in areas such as health, food security, labor mobility and disaster resilience.

“As we now meet in Manila, our hope is to further expand our engagements in practical and impactful ways from agriculture and fisheries to development and technical cooperation,” he said.

On other matters, he raised the urgency of addressing climate challenges, particularly for climate-vulnerable island nations. He called for stronger cooperation in disaster risk management and collective climate action, emphasizing the need for mutual support in tackling these pressing issues.

“We hope to further advance our mutual support in various fora in these critical areas,” President Marcos Jr. concluded in his message.

Meanwhile, President Whipps Jr. emphasized unity in facing global challenges, stating, “Now more than ever, we need to be together to support each other in these challenges that we have.” He expressed optimism about the meeting’s outcomes, adding, “Looking forward to the meetings and continued collaboration and strengthening the bond between our two nations.”

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