President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday renewed their commitment to enhance the Philippines and Singapore’s bilateral relations and work together to ensure security and stability in Southeast Asia.

During a bilateral meeting at Malacañan Palace in Manila, Marcos expressed his intent to boost the Philippines’ cooperation with Singapore on priority sectors, including health, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, renewable energy, the environment, and other people-to-people exchanges.

“These are vital and priority sectors for the development of our countries and for the region,” Marcos said.

“The bilateral relations between the Pearl of the Orient and the Lion City have not only endured but have thrived in the last 56 years. The depth and breadth of our ties extend beyond government institutions. As vibrant exchanges between our peoples, businesses, and educational and vocational institutions continue to grow and to flourish.”

Marcos stressed the importance of charting a path of “enduring collaboration with meaningful benefits” to Filipinos and Singaporeans who have to cope in a “complicated changing world.”

He said the Philippines considers Singapore as “a trusted neighbor, a dependable friend, and reliable partner.”

Wong told Marcos that Singapore also wants to further improve its relations with the Philippines, considering that the two nations have a “vibrant and enduring partnership.”

“It’s a partnership developed over many decades where our leaders and officials have worked tirelessly to grow our relations for the benefits of both our people. And amidst this changing and more challenging geopolitical environment, it is even more important that we stand together,” he said.

As founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the two countries would continue upholding and advancing peace, security, and stability in the region, Marcos and Wong agreed.

Marcos said regional stability and security have fostered unprecedented growth and sustained development over these last decades.

“Amidst these uncertainties, we have set out a fresh direction for the region with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 that seeks to achieve a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered ASEAN. I look forward to working with you and other members of ASEAN in turning this vision into a reality,” he said. (PNA)