PBBM NASA U.S.A NA! DUMATING NA ANG PRES. BONGBONG MARCOS JR SA UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TODAY
Courtesy of RTVM Presidential Broadcast
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. commences his Official Visit to Washington, D.C., United States of America as he and the rest of the Philippine delegation arrive at the Joint Base Andrews at 4:56 PM on 30 April 2023 (local time).
Welcoming him and First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos are House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez of the Philippine Embassy and Mrs. Maria Lourdes Romualdez, U.S.A. Chief of Protocol Ambassador Rufus Gifford and Colonel Bryan Bobeck (Commander, 89th Maintenance Group, Joint Base Andrews).
The President’s official visit aims to further reinforce the already strong bonds with the United States, reaffirm commitment to fostering long-standing alliance as an instrument of peace and as a catalyst of development in the Asia-Pacific region, and push for greater engagement through trade and investment, science and technology, and innovation cooperation.
Likewise, the Chief Executive intends to advance and bring about lasting socioeconomic partnerships in the areas of food security, agricultural productivity development, digital economy, energy security, climate change and cybersecurity.
It has been more than 10 years since a Philippine President undertook a visit to the US capital.
Reaffirming commitment to peace and security and forging stronger economic partnerships with the United States of America are among the priorities of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as he embarks on an Official Visit to Washington, D.C. from 30 April to 4 May 2023.
In an interview with RTVM a day before the President’s arrival in the US capital, Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, the country’s envoy to the USA, shares that there is great anticipation among US key Cabinet Secretaries and government officials on President Marcos Jr’s. visit, notably his second bilateral talks with President Joseph Biden.
As a major economic partner of the country, the United States targets to bring major investments to the Philippines within the year, particularly projects in the energy sector, healthcare, tourism and infrastructure.
“They really would like to get a chance to meet the President because they see him as a progressive President. They see him as somebody who knows the value of our relationship,” Ambassador Romualdez states, adding that this official visit will eventually “redound to our country, our peace and security, economic security and most important of all, economic prosperity for everyone.”
Philippines to United States of America
“My visit is an important one, as they all are, because they are part of our efforts to further reinforce our already strong bonds with the United States by bringing our alliance into the 21st century,” remarked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his departure statement as he embarked on an Official Visit to the United States of America (USA).
The President is travelling to Washington, D.C. for a meeting with US President Joseph R. Biden, key Cabinet officials and legislators, which is set to reaffirm the Philippines and the United States’ commitment to foster their long-standing alliance as an instrument of peace and catalyst of development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.
“I intend to convey to President Biden and his senior Cabinet officials
that the [Philippines] is determined to forge an even stronger relationship with the United States in a wide range of areas that not only address concerns of our times, but also those that are critical to advancing our core interests,” he said, emphasizing that these areas cover food security, agricultural productivity, digital economy, energy security, cyber-security and climate change.
He will also raise concerns on resilience from economic threats, including global supply chain disruptions and economic coercion.
“Towards this end, one of my priorities for this visit is to push for
greater economic engagement, particularly through trade and investment, science and technology, and innovation cooperation, between the United States and the Philippines,” he added.
As President Marcos Jr. is also expected to hold conferences with US companies and business groups, his visit intends to seek opportunities in the semiconductor industry, critical minerals, renewable and clean energy, as well as infrastructure projects that will improve the country’s digital and telecommunication systems and facilitate sustainability efforts to address climate change.
“The economic team and I shall be joined by key Filipino private sector leaders
in exploring business opportunities that would serve to grow our economy even more,”
“While in Washington, I also look forward to meeting with our Filipino Community who maintain strong ties to the Philippines despite being away for very many years but continue to contribute towards the country’s economic prosperity.”-PBBM
