Marcos back from ‘productive’ Vietnam trip

PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. arrived yesterday from a two-day state visit to Vietnam, which focused on security and defense issues including matters concerning the West Philippine Sea.

“It has been a very productive visit considering that we are in here… for 24 hours. But this has been a product of a great deal of discussion and hard work on both sides, on the Philippines’ side and on the Vietnam side,” he said in a press conference before leaving for Manila.

In a videotaped-arrival statement, the President talked about his engagements with Vietnamese government officials led by President Vo van Thuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue with whom he discussed strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the areas of defense, maritime, trade and investment, economic, education, tourism and culture, people-to-people exchanges and parliamentary cooperation.

In his meeting with Hue, Marcos said, he discussed the creation of the Philippines-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group “and recognized its fundamental role in maintaining an open communication where our countries could engage in policy dialogue and exchanges, so as to enrich our parliamentary cooperation.”

“On cooperation between our political parties, I envision that the mandate of our political parties is to promote national security, enhance socio-economic development, and uplift the lives of our peoples,” he said.

The President said Vietnam also expressed interest in the Philippines’ taxation system, universal health care, and digitalization policy.

“[T]he vibrant discussions with parliamentarians across the region in an open and trusting environment helped achieve our common objective of promoting understanding, collaboration, and commitment to advance peace and development in the region,” he said.

The President also invited businesses to invest in in the Philippines in the areas of energy, digital technology, agriculture, and transportation, during a meeting with business leaders.

Marcos also met with the Filipino community whom he had acknowledged for their contribution to the country not just through their remittances but also for their presence abroad,