Vice President Sara Duterte spoke of expanding bilateral ties and natural resource development with Singapore during its 57th National Day.
Duterte joined the Singaporean community in the Philippines during the event held in Taguig City on Tuesday, Aug. 9.
Speaking to a crowd of hundreds gathered at the Hyatt Hotel, Duterte expressed her admiration for Singapore’s development amidst diversity of culture.
“Singapore has always been close to my heart. We have always admired the development, peace and order, as well as the balance of tradition and modernity whenever I visit your beautiful country,” she told the crowd gathered at the Hyatt Hotel.
The Vice President expressed her admiration for Singapore’s development amidst diversity of culture.
She noted that Singapore “continues to be an important partner in developing our country’s fuel resources through capacity-building programs.”
As neighbors, the Philippines and Singapore enjoy robust trade relations and cooperation in regional and multilateral fora, with Singapore also a major investor in the country.
In 2019, two Southeast Asian nations celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Duterte said she hoped the bilateral relations between the two countries will “continue to flourish and that our engagements would further expand” during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In the past three years, she cited that there have been 57 scholars for foreign training under the Singapore Cooperation Program.
Duterte, who serves as Education secretary in a concurrent capacity, said the Philippines “has so much to learn from Singapore’s education system which is considered as one of the best in the world.”
Meanwhile, Singaporean Ambassador to the Philippines Gerard Ho expressed gratitude to Filipinos in Singapore “who make sacrifices and contributed a lot in the most difficult times.”
“Special shoutout to the frontline health care workers of the Philippines who did an amazing job in Singapore. Thank you, Philippines,” the ambassador said.
Joining the Singaporeans, Philippine government officials, members of the diplomatic and consular corps, and business community also witnessed the event.