PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. pitched the Philippines’ technology, infrastructure, and renewable energy sectors to global business leaders during a five-day working visit to Singapore (SG).
Speaking before roughly 470 business leaders and policymakers at the 24th Forbes Global CEO Conference, Mr. Marcos said he outlined national economic priorities, including export expansion, tax incentives, digital reforms, and major infrastructure investments such as the $20-billion Luzon Economic Corridor.
The Chief Executive also held a meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as Manila prepares to hand over the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to Singapore next month.
“I am pleased with my discussions with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, particularly on our shared interest in ensuring continuity and sustaining momentum in ASEAN priorities,” Mr. Marcos said in his arrival statement following his return to Manila on Monday.
Addressing international executives at the Forbes conference, Mr. Marcos highlighted the country’s strategic workforce advantages and commitment to digital innovation.
“I spoke of our drive to move up the technology ladder into research and development and to lead in regional digital cooperation, supported by a young, highly skilled, English-speaking and tech-savvy workforce,” he said.
“I also emphasized our national resolve to fight corruption, strengthen digital safeguards, build strong international economic ties, firmly protect our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, and contribute to regional peace and stability,” Mr. Marcos added.
During the trip, Mr. Marcos engaged with top corporate executives to secure high-value investment commitments.
Key commercial outcomes include FedEx’s expansion of its Clark Gateway hub in Pampanga, scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2028, to boost international air freight capacity for micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Corp. is finalizing a $700-million investment in Ayala Corp., marking one of the country’s largest recent foreign equity infusions.
In the renewable energy sector, Vena Energy pledged P52 billion over the next two years to construct 1.29 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity, expanding its existing 887-megawatt (MW) operational fleet and 1.26 GW under construction.
Mr. Marcos said the commitment directly supports government targets to achieve a 35% renewable energy share in power generation by 2030 and 50% by 2040.
“Our objective is not simply to attract investments today. We must also prepare the energy supply, the infrastructure, technology, and human capital necessary to sustain the industries of tomorrow,” Mr. Marcos noted.
The President also visited the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute to review Singapore’s technical and safety frameworks in nuclear research.
The Philippines is exploring nuclear power alongside hydrogen as the government seeks to diversify its energy sources and reduce its exposure to disruptions in imported fuel supplies.
In a news briefing on Sunday, Mr. Marcos said he had spoken with a group exploring hydrogen resources in the Philippines.
“They’re looking for hydrogen. They’re very optimistic that there are substantial deposits here in the Philippines,” he said, without naming the group or specifying project details.
The government is targeting 1,200 MW of nuclear power capacity by 2032, a goal the Mr. Marcos considered to be achievable. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking