NAIA Terminal 3, Pasay City
August 17, 2024
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam of Singapore concludes his three-day State Visit to the Philippines that strengthened relations between the two countries as he departs from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on August 17, 2024.
On the first day of his trip to Manila, the Singaporean leader met with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañan Palace for a bilateral discussion. The two leaders witnessed the presentation of two (2) signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) on the Recruitment of Filipino Healthcare Workers and Collaboration on Carbon Credits under Article VI of the Paris Agreement.
Yesterday, President Shanmugaratnam met with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga to tackle the Philippines’ plans on sustainability of water and other natural assets, as other possible areas for bilateral cooperation. He also paid a visit to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Center for Biodiversity (ACB) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) where a briefing was held on their efforts in promoting sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation, and how the Philippines and Singapore can collaborate in these areas.
Furthermore, he participated in a closed-door roundtable discussion hosted by the Asia Society Philippines and Makati Business Club where they discussed global developments and economic challenges facing the region. He attended the Singapore Red Cross’ 75th anniversary exhibition in Manila, was given a briefing by the Temasek Foundation and graced the National Day of Reception with Singaporeans based in the Philippines.
This is President Shanmugaratnam’s first visit to the country in an official capacity as Singapore’s new Head of State. The last Singaporean leader who paid a visit to the Philippines was former President Halimah Yacob in 2019.
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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