SINGAPORE --- President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said he would maximize the country's trade and economic cooperation with Singapore to attract investments, create more jobs, and speed up post-pandemic economic growth.
During his visit on Sept. 6-7, six agreements were signed between the two countries.
In his meeting with the Filipino community in Singapore, the President said Singapore became the Philippines' top investor last year, with Singaporean companies maintaining big-ticket projects in telecommunications, infrastructure, startup and innovation, renewable energy, and healthcare.
"We proactively attract investments in our country in order to accelerate post-pandemic growth and create more jobs in the Philippines," he said.
The Filipino way
In addition to the trade and economic deals with Singapore, Marcos was likewise confident that the country could overcome obstacles, as Filipinos are talented and hardworking.
"There is no doubt in my mind that the Philippines can recover from the hardships caused by the pandemic. Hand in hand, sama-sama tayong babangon muli (together, we will rise),” he said.
"We will rise above the challenges, and we will fly to greater heights. Pilipino tayo (at) dapat nating ipagmalaki ang Pilipino dahil meron naman tayong sinabi (We are Filipinos and should be proud to be one because we have what it takes)," he added.
According to Marcos, his administration strives to provide quality services to Filipinos abroad while caring for their families in the Philippines through different government programs such as scholarship grants, healthcare, and housing.
Over 200,000 Filipinos in Singapore are working as household service workers, medical professionals, engineers, architects, bankers, entrepreneurs, teaching personnel, performers, lawyers, media practitioners, researchers, writers, and IT professionals.
Despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, OFWs in Singapore continue to send remittances to their families in the Philippines.
Last year, Singapore-based OFWs were the second-highest sender of remittances, amounting to $2.2 billion.