President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said that the investment pledges the government secured during his roundtable discussions with Chinese businessmen would create many jobs for Filipinos.

Marcos said this as he wrapped up his State Visit to Beijing, China, last week.

In an interview with reporters, the President was confident of the benefits the investment pledges would bring to the Philippines.

"It's certainly going to produce many, many jobs. When the investments come into play, when they start their operations," he said.

“Mag-uumpisa pa ‘yan sa training... capacity building--- doon sa magiging empleyado nila (It will start with training, capacity building of their would-be employees)... that will be starting very soon,” he added.

Chinese investors have committed US$22.8 billion in investment pledges after President Marcos met them during his state visit to China from Jan. 3 to 5, including US$1.72 billion for agribusiness, US$13.76 billion for renewable energy (RE), and US$7.32 billion for strategic monitoring (electric vehicle, mineral processing).

"Some of these investments have already started their construction, have already started opening their offices, all of that," Marcos said.

According to the President, these pledges are "backed up already" by concrete actions in the Philippines. He said some have already opened their offices, are securing their permits, or have already obtained permits.

However, he admitted that there are "rather new" areas in the country, like mineral processing, battery production, and electric vehicle production, that the Philippines needs to introduce to potential investors.

"Bago lahat ito. Kaya’t siguro, kailangan natin pa ipakita sa kanila na mga Chinese, potential Chinese investors, na maganda mag-invest sa Pilipinas (These are all new. That's why we have to show potential Chinese investors that it's good to invest in the Philippines),” Marcos said.

The President likewise mentioned the significance of transferring technology and minimizing the repatriation of profits.

"So that's what we are looking for now. To make sure that these investments not only provide jobs for the local economy, but there's also a transfer of technology that the repatriation of profits are minimized and the value added is left in the Philippines," Marcos said.