PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday left for a three-day state visit to Cambodia to strengthen bilateral ties, expand trade relations and advance regional cooperation in several other sectors.
The President left with First Lady Liza Aranate-Marcos at 1:44 pm. His delegation arrived at the Phnom Penh International Airport at 3:08 p.m. (4:08 p.m. in Manila).
In the evening, the President met with the Filipino community in Phnom Penh where he promised to establish a migrant workers office.
He instructed Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac to oversee the establishment of the said office in Phnom Penh at the soonest time possible, which would assist the Philippine embassy in looking after the Filipinos in Cambodia.
Marcos said there are about 7,500 Filipinos residing and working in Cambodia who, “in the spirit of friendship and camaraderie from the Pearl of the Orient, contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of Cambodian society.”
Marcos during the event again thanked the Filipinos for their continued support for the country and his administration, as he reiterated how the world appreciates, respects and recognizes the Filipinos for their diligence, hard work and contributions to the growth and development of their host countries.
Majority of Filipino workers in Cambodia are professionals who work as teachers, factory supervisors, missionaries, engineers, doctors, nurses, and even pilots.
Acting Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said Marcos named Execuritive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrad Estrella III as the government’s caretakers while he is abroad.
Marcos said he visited Cambodia on the invitation of His Majesty, King Norodom Sihamoni. It is a reciprocal visit following the trip of Prime Minister Hun Manet to Manila in February this year. This is the first state visit of a Philippine president to Cambodia in nine years.
While in Cambodia, the President will meet with the prime minister, and also with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, on behalf of the King.
He is expected to discuss with Cambodian leaders the strengthening of bilateral ties and various areas of cooperation such as people-to-people ties, diversifying trade and economic relations, and addressing transnational crimes.
“During my visit, I will discuss ways to further diversify our cooperation and strengthen our intra-Asean relationships and exchanges by capitalizing on our complementary strengths in the face of global economic headwinds. We will discuss expanding our commercial relations and building more resilient value chains,” the President said in his departure speech in Manila.
Acknowledging Cambodia as the country’s resolute partner in addressing transnational crime, Marcos affirmed his commitment to further strengthen this cooperation.
“Through intensified defense and security cooperation with Cambodia, we hope to uphold a peaceful, stable, and resilient Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) community,” he added.
He will also seek Cambodia’s support for the Philippines’ upcoming chairmanship of the Asean in 2026.
“As the Philippines prepares to take the helm of Asean in 2026, my visit will reinforce the importance of Asean Centrality and our commitment to build a progressive and inclusive region,” the President said.
While in Phnom Penh, the President will also hold a roundtable discussion with Filipino and Cambodian business leaders to promote trade and investment opportunities, further cementing economic cooperation between the two countries.
The Philippines is keen on boosting exports to Cambodia, particularly in food, beverages, and pharmaceutical products, as well as expanding the presence of Filipino franchise businesses in the Cambodian market.
Marcos is also expected to witness the exchange of new agreements and initiatives that will enhance bilateral cooperation and bring tangible benefits to both of its peoples such as those on countering transnational crimes, higher education, and air services.
“I look forward to all of these very productive meetings that we have scheduled, and I am sure that we will find many ways to develop that will be beneficial to both our countries,” the President said.
Marcos delegation includes Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr., Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Commission on Higher Education chairperson Shirley Agrupis, and Gomez.
