Marcos seeks to strengthen people-to-people ties with UK

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos aims to strengthen people-to-people ties with the United Kingdom, which is home to about 200,000 Filipino workers.

In a meeting with UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy, Marcos emphasized that the Philippines could further enhance its people-to-people exchanges with the European country due to their strong relations.

He noted that the number of Filipinos residing and working in the UK has significantly increased, reflecting the deepening ties between the two nations.

“That’s a very clear indication of how strong our relations have become in many, many areas. So, I’m sure your visit will be a symbol of that strengthening relationship,” the President told Lammy at Malacañang.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Filipinos in the UK are employed across various sectors, including information technology, aviation, hospitality, service and health care.

There has also been a notable rise in the number of Filipino engineers and information technology experts working with UK telecommunications, software and e-commerce solutions firms.

Aside from ties and exchanges, the two leaders also discussed key issues related to maritime, trade and investments, climate change and the environment, according to a statement issued by the PCO.

Lammy’s visit is part of ongoing efforts to enhance relations between Manila and London, which established formal diplomatic ties in 1946.