President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the Philippines and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong of Singapore today reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to bolstering bilateral cooperation, announcing a significant expansion of collaboration in the vital field of renewable energy. The agreement came during their productive meeting at Malacañang Palace on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
President Marcos Jr. underscored Singapore’s crucial role in the Philippines’ ambitious goal to diversify its energy sources. “I encouraged Singapore to increase its investments in the renewable energy sector as part of our forward-looking bilateral agenda,” President Marcos stated during a joint press conference following their bilateral discussions.
Prime Minister Wong, on his introductory visit to the Philippines from June 4 to 5, reciprocated the sentiment, expressing keen interest from Singaporean companies in investing in Philippine renewable energy projects, particularly in solar and wind power. “Such projects can generate economic opportunities for the Philippines while supporting the Philippines’ renewable energy targets,” he affirmed during the press conference.
Both leaders also agreed to accelerate efforts aimed at promoting renewable energy deployment and advancing the realization of the ASEAN Power Grid, a key initiative for regional energy security and sustainability.
In a strong demonstration of their shared commitment to environmental stewardship, President Marcos and Prime Minister Wong agreed to commence negotiations on an implementing agreement for a carbon credits mechanism, aligning with Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement. President Marcos emphasized that the early completion of these negotiations “will result in climate-friendly actions and increased investments in related sectors, thereby creating meaningful and sustainable livelihood and business opportunities for both Filipinos and Singaporeans alike, while producing good sustainability outcomes for our local communities.”
Beyond energy and climate, the two leaders also committed to strengthening people-to-people links between their nations. Prime Minister Wong acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the Filipino community in Singapore, specifically commending Filipino healthcare workers for their dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic. He further noted that both countries’ health ministries are actively exploring avenues for deeper cooperation through a broader healthcare partnership.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Wong highlighted stepped-up cooperation in human resource development across various fields, including digitalization, reiterating Singapore’s full support for the Philippines’ capacity-building initiatives. He also assured President Marcos of Singapore’s unwavering support for the Philippines’ upcoming chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year.
This pivotal meeting marks a significant step forward in the enduring friendship and strategic partnership between the Philippines and Singapore, laying the groundwork for enhanced cooperation across critical sectors for mutual prosperity and regional stability.
