The Philippines has approved the construction of a new chancery in Singapore, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
The dedication marker and groundbreaking ceremony were presented on June 17. It was led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph del Mar Yap.
It was disclosed that the current Chancery is located at what used to be called the "embassy row near Orchard Road," which has undergone several renovations and expansions in 2010, 2016, 2018, and 2020.
According to the DFA, it has received the green light from Philippine authorities to demolish the existing building and construct a new Chancery.
On the other hand, Singapore authorities have given their tentative go-ahead subject to the final approval of the design and building plans.
Yap said that the goal of constructing a new Chancery is "the realization of a shared dream with the ambassadors who came before who had the same vision."
"As I end my tour of duty in a couple of weeks' time, I will no longer be here to witness the actual construction and completion of this new Chancery. But it is an honor for me to be here today at the start of this journey with you. I look forward to the day when I will see a new Chancery standing at 20 Nassim Road," the ambassador said in his remarks.
Locsin, for his part, said that the post is "truly blessed to have, not one, but two properties sitting in prime land, in a country where space is a premium."
"Owning property in the host government chronicles our bilateral history and speaks volumes of the strong relations between our two countries," he said as he congratulated Yap for being instrumental in making this dream of a new Chancery come to fruition.
Locsin was in Singapore for an official visit to attend the ceremony and the National Day Reception hosted by the Philippine Embassy on June 15 to commemorate the 124th Anniversary of Philippine Independence.