More than his world debut: Marcos to push for PH economic recovery in US visit


The public can expect President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to highlight his plans to revive the country's recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic during his upcoming working visit to the United States of America (USA) next week.

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Noel Pabalate / Manila Bulletin)

Malacañang said this days before Marcos' scheduled trip to New York City from September 18 to 24 for the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

In a pre-departure briefing, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said that the President's objective since his election this year was to aid the Philippines' economic recovery.

"His intent for the administration is for economic recovery. Therefore, his activities are always pursuant to that. His speech will be in pursuit of that," she said Thursday, September 15.

"In fact, the delegation is composed, primarily, of his economic team, plus," she added.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), President Marcos' delegation comprises secretaries, undersecretaries, and support staff of different government agencies. These agencies include the departments of Trade and Industry (DTI), Finance (DOF), and Migrant Workers (DMW); the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); and about 20 to 30 senior Philippine corporate executives.

According to DFA Assistant Secretary for the Office of American Affairs (OAA) JV Chan Gonzaga, Marcos' upcoming trip to the US is more than his international debut.

"The President has made it very clear from the initial discussions preparatory to this trip to New York, that it will be more than his debut on the world stage," he said.

"He gave unequivocal instructions that his meetings, whether with fellow world leaders or with US corporations, should focus on finding necessary partnerships that will benefit the Philippine economy and the Filipino people," he added.

Gonzaga said Marcos would not spare any effort to address the economic challenges that the Philippines is facing. Hence, his meeting with American businessmen at an economic briefing in New York.

"This meeting is expected to attract institutional investors, senior corporate executives, business analysts, and even academics, think tanks, and entrepreneurs," he said.

"This briefing will be an opportunity to outline the key economic priorities of his administration, with a special focus on how we can hopefully expand and strengthen Philippine-US trade and investment relations during his term," he added.

At the briefing, Gonzaga said the country's economic managers would speak on macro-economic and sectoral issues that might interest potential US investors and partners.

Aside from the Philippine economic briefing, President Marcos will participate in roundtables designed to project the Philippines as an important emerging economy and investment destination in Asia.

"We expect the one-on-one business meetings of the President to deal with priority areas that can engender a quick post-pandemic economic recovery and the long-term resilience of the Philippine economy," Gonzaga said.

Marcos also intends to meet with US companies that could contribute to the administration's efforts to achieve food security, energy security, and sustainable economic development.

According to Gonzaga, the President is expected to meet the US Chamber of Commerce, the US-ASEAN Business Council, and the US-Philippines Society.

"At these engagements, he will be able to have wide-ranging and candid discussions with political, business, and community leaders on raising the profile of the Philippines in the United States; contributing to the President's economic agenda; and strengthening Philippine-US political, economic, and cultural ties," he said.