The Philippines and Singapore pledged to deepen cooperation on renewable energy, climate action, healthcare, and digital transformation, marking a new chapter in their bilateral partnership as Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong paid his first official visit to Manila on Wednesday, June 4.

President Marcos and Prime Minister Wong announced the commitments in a joint press statement at Malacañan, where both leaders also underscored their shared interest in strengthening the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) unity and advancing peace and stability in the region.

"We had detailed discussions on priority areas of bilateral cooperation that yield tangible benefits for the Philippines and Singapore, both immediate and in the longer term," Marcos said.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expand collaboration in renewable energy and finalize a legally binding agreement under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement to facilitate carbon credit trading.

"I encourage Singapore to increase its investments in the renewable energy sector as part of our forward-looking bilateral agenda," Marcos said.

Wong echoed this sentiment, saying Singaporean firms are eyeing solar and wind energy investments in the Philippines, which could boost local job creation while helping the country meet its clean energy goals.

"Such projects can generate economic opportunities for the Philippines while supporting the Philippines’ renewable energy targets," he said.

The two leaders also agreed to accelerate efforts toward the ASEAN Power Grid, describing it as vital to improving regional energy resilience and supporting the region’s green transition.

President Marcos thanked Singapore for its role in co-developing the Digital Leadership Program under the Civil Service Commission and the National University of Singapore, which aims to modernize governance through upskilling civil servants.

"Through the digital leadership program... we aim to accelerate digital leadership and transformation across the civil service," he said.

Prime Minister Wong said the effort was part of Singapore’s ongoing support for the Philippines’ capacity-building agenda, particularly in digitalization and public sector reform.

Both leaders also discussed health cooperation in the meeting, with both governments working toward a new bilateral agreement to expand collaboration in healthcare training and pandemic preparedness.

Wong acknowledged the critical contributions of the roughly 200,000 Filipinos living and working in Singapore, especially frontline workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Singapore is committed to being a good second home for the Filipinos living and working in our country," he said.

"The Ministry of Health is exploring ways to support Filipino healthcare workers in Singapore to upskill and eventually reintegrate into the Philippine healthcare system," he added.

According to the Singaporean leader, the health ministries of both countries are exploring ways to deepen cooperation in mutual areas of interest through a broader health care partnership.

He added that Singapore’s Ministry of Health is exploring ways to upskill Filipino healthcare professionals and support their eventual reintegration into the Philippine system.

Both leaders welcomed growing business ties, with President Marcos expressing hope that the Philippines would remain an “important destination” for Singaporean investments.

Prime Minister Wong noted that Singapore remains one of the Philippines’ top investors, and expressed interest in expanding collaboration in “new and emerging areas like the green economy and sustainability.”

As founding members of ASEAN, both leaders also pledged to work closely to ensure the success of the Philippines' 2026 ASEAN chairmanship, with Singapore assuming the role in 2027.

“We will coordinate closely because Singapore takes over from the Philippines," Wong said.

"We will work shoulder to shoulder, side by side,” he added.

Marcos, for his part, reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to upholding a rules-based international order and maintaining stability in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea.

"The Philippines will continue to be a committed advocate of the rules-based international order, one grounded on international law, in equity, and on justice," he said.

President Marcos thanked Singapore for its continued assistance in preserving endangered Philippine species, including the Philippine Eagle, through conservation programs abroad.

He also expressed gratitude for Singapore’s quick deployment of air assets to assist in delivering aid during Severe Tropical Storm Kristine in October 2024, which heavily affected remote areas.

"Singapore remains one of our country’s most important investors. But beyond that, it is also a reliable partner in times of need," the President said.