President Marcos has expressed his desire to boost the Philippines' people-to-people exchanges with the United Kingdom (UK) due to their strong relations.

Marcos said this during his meeting with UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs David Lammy in Malacañan on Saturday morning, March 8.

In his remarks, the President cited the significant increase in Filipinos living and working in the UK.

He informed Lammy that UK-based Filipinos are grateful for how the UK has welcomed them.

"That's a very clear indication of how strong our relations have become in many, many areas. So, I'm sure your visit will be a symbol of that strengthening relationship," Marcos said.

An estimated 200,000 Filipinos are in the UK, working in various sectors, including IT, aviation, hospitality and service, and healthcare.

Since 2001, there has been an increase in the number of Filipino engineers and IT experts working with British telecommunication, software, and e-commerce solutions companies.

Lammy is in the Philippines to promote the enhanced partnership between the Philippines and the UK.

In addition to people-to-people ties, the two leaders likewise discussed trade and investments, maritime, climate change, and the environment.

Formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the UK were established on July 4, 1946.