Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet on Tuesday, Feb. 11, promised to support the Philippines’ food security by supplying rice and other food products.
 

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. welcomes Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (Ryan Baldemor/PPA Pool)

The prime minister, who said this is his first ever official visit to the Philippines, met with President Marcos in Malacañan.
 

He assured the President of Cambodia’s readiness to contribute in the government’s goal of food security for all.
 

“We are identifying new opportunities to boost trade and investment flows in agriculture. Cambodia stands ready to contribute to the Philippine food security through rice supply as well as many other food products,” he said in a joint press conference with the President.
 

While largely dependent on agricultural economy, the Philippines is among the world's largest rice importers.
 

Last week, it declared a food security emergency to bring down the cost of rice, which it said stayed elevated despite lower global prices and a reduction in rice tariffs a year before.
 

The declaration will allow the government to release buffer stocks, which will help bring down the prices of the country’s staple food.
 

Meanwhile, admitting that there are “untapped potentials” in the trade and business ties between the Philippines and Cambodia, Hun Manet vowed to take this relationship to “new heights” as he engaged with the public and private sector in his visit to Manila.
 

“Mr. Marcos and I just concluded productive discussions and witnessed the exchange of eight arrangements and MOUs (memorandum of understandings) serving as a concrete arrangement to increase our interactions,” he shared.
 

“On bilateral front, we are committed to taking our cooperations to new heights,” the prime minister added.
 

The Cambodian leader also acknowledged the “crucial role” of the private sectors in driving economic growth.
 

“Cambodia encourage the stronger engagements through trade missions, business fora and trade fairs. At the Cambodia-Philippines business forum yesterday, I underscored the untapped potentials and investments opportunities for Filipino investors and entrepreneurs,” he stated.
 

Recognizing the people-to-people ties of both countries, he noted how the Filipino community in Cambodia played a role in the country’s socio-economic developments and underscored the importance of unity among member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
 

“As the Philippines assumes ASEAN chairmanship in 2026, I assured President Marcos of Cambodia's full support,” he said as he extended an invitation to the President to visit Cambodia soon.
 

The Philippines and Cambodia are celebrating the 68th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year.