The Philippines and Singapore have agreed to bolster collaboration in renewable energy, healthcare, digital transformation, and regional integration following a bilateral meeting between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Malacañang on Wednesday. This marks Wong’s first state visit to the Philippines since taking office, coinciding with the 56th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
“This visit of Prime Minister Wong demonstrates what we already have known for a long time to be true – the robust ties between the Philippines and Singapore and the steadfast camaraderie between Filipinos and Singaporeans are strong and remain strong,” Marcos stated in a joint press release.
Singapore is the Philippines’ eighth-largest trading partner and a significant investor, hosting around 220,000 Filipinos, many of whom work in healthcare and domestic services.
Addressing climate change, Marcos and Wong confirmed plans to implement a carbon credits mechanism aligned with the Paris Agreement, aimed at promoting climate-friendly investments. “I encourage Singapore to increase its investments in the renewable energy sector as part of our forward-looking bilateral agenda,” Marcos added, noting Singapore’s interest in solar and wind projects in the Philippines.
In healthcare, the leaders discussed expanding cooperation, including a planned bilateral agreement to support Filipino healthcare workers in Singapore. “We hope to soon conclude a bilateral agreement with Singapore on health cooperation,” Marcos said, while Wong acknowledged the contributions of Filipino workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two leaders also emphasized the importance of regional coordination, particularly with the Philippines chairing ASEAN in 2026. They discussed enhancing ASEAN unity, economic integration, and multilateralism. Marcos expressed gratitude for Singapore’s support during a typhoon in the Philippines in October 2024 and congratulated the city-state on its upcoming 60th independence anniversary.
“Your remarkable progress over six decades to become one of the world’s most stable, most admired countries is indeed an achievement worth celebrating – and for the Philippines, worth emulating,” he remarked.