United States Vice President Kamala Harris' visit to the Philippines will pave the way for closer bilateral relations, and would build on the talks between US President Joe Biden and President Marcos Jr. in New York last September, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.
In a statement, DFA said the government welcomes "the announcement from the White House on new initiatives to strengthen" the alliance between the US and the Philippines as Harris landed in Manila on Sunday night.
Covering various matters, including climate change and regional peace and stability, DFA said the initiatives "represent concrete deliverables" that came after the bilateral meeting between Biden and Marcos on the sidelines of the 77th UN General Assembly in September.
Other initiatives focus on food and energy security, digital economy and human rights.
"It is important that our two countries work together to advance our shared objectives in the bilateral, regional and global spheres," DFA said.
"The visit of Vice President Harris shall further strengthen our partnership, alliance and friendship," it added.
Noting that both countries "agree on the importance of strengthening the economic security of the Philippines" to have the capacity to meet both individual and collective challenges, DFA said it hopes to continue the extensive bilateral engagements between the two countries.
That is with "a view to achieving tangible, relevant and substantial outcomes in support of the economic development objectives of the Philippines," it added.
On Monday, Harris is set to also hold bilateral talks with Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte.