Philippines, Singapore strengthen relations

MANILA, Philippines — The relationship between the Philippines and Singapore has never been stronger as its reaches its 50th year marked by the two countries’ “mutual trust, respect, and abiding amity,” Malacañang said yesterday on the occasion of Singapore President Halimah Yacob’s visit.

“Over the past 50 years, our governments and peoples have continuously strengthened our commitment and invested resources toward cultivating a special relationship that lives up to its vast potential,” President Duterte said, reading from a joint statement with Halimah at the Palace.

“We take the first of our eager steps toward the next half-century of our natural, mutually reinforcing and beneficial partnership. With mutual trust, respect, and abiding amity, I am confident that we will achieve our shared goals and aspirations for our peoples,” Duterte said.

“We will forge ahead and bring our ties to even greater heights of [purposive] cooperation and friendship between the Philippines and Singapore,” the President said, quoting the same statement.

Halimah arrived in Manila Sunday for a four-day state visit and is set to go to Davao City tomorrow for a dialogue with Mindanao youth and visit the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Calinan District.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is set to host a dinner for Halimah before she flies back to Singapore on Thursday afternoon.

“Fifty years ago, in May 1969, the Philippines and Singapore established formal diplomatic relations determined to fully explore the promise and infinite possibilities of amity and cooperation,” Duterte said.

“President Yacob’s visit marks the high point of our joyful recollection of that [momentous event] in our shared history,” he added.

Duterte likewise said the Golden Jubilee diplomatic relations between Singapore and the Philippines should be an opportunity for the  two countries to take stock of the great strides in their strong partnership and dynamic cooperation.

“We reviewed the full range of our engagement and exchanged views on the direction of our future collaboration. We talked about deepening our cooperation in defense and security, which includes strengthening defense dialogues and training exchanges between the military and special forces,” the President said, describing his meeting with Halimah.

The two leaders committed to further intensify trade and investment links, mindful of the goals they have set under the Philippines-Singapore Action Plan or PSAP.

Singapore was the Philippines’ second highest source of investments in 2018, committing a total of P21.18 billion or 11.8 percent of foreign pledges.

Singapore is also the country’s seventh largest trading partner with two-way trade at $10.49 billion.

“I asked President Yacob’s support as we encourage further Singaporean participation in our priority investment areas. I also sought to further our cooperation in agriculture, education and training, science and technology, tourism and cultural exchanges,” Duterte said.

Duterte said he also shared with Halimah breakthroughs in peace and development in Mindanao.

8 deals signed

Presidents Duterte and Halimah also yesterday witnessed the signing of eight agreements after their bilateral meeting.

“With the agreements signed today, we take the first of our eager steps toward the next half-century of our natural, mutually reinforcing and beneficial partnership. With mutual trust, respect, and abiding amity, I am confident that we will achieve our shared goals and aspirations for our peoples,” Duterte said.