President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Sunday he hopes that his just-concluded working visit to the United States will serve as a “good start” for programs and opportunities under his administration.
At an arrival statement on Sunday morning, Mr. Marcos said the trip identified areas that could be developed into programs and projects that benefit Filipinos.
The President, arriving at the NAIA Terminal 2 at 6:09 a.m., said he felt his US trip was successful and that he was satisfied with its results.
“The work continues but I am happy to report that we have had a very good and strong start,” he said.
Speaker Martin Romualdez congratulated the President on his successful trip, highlighted by his participation in the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and meeting with US President Joe Biden.
“The President wasted no time in his efforts to put the Philippines again on the investments map of the world. At a time when nations struggle to bounce back from the ill effects of the pandemic on economies, our President hit the ground running and worked almost round the clock to bring home much-needed investments,” he said.
Mr. Marcos said he and the Philippine delegation achieved what they sought to do on the trip, which was to meet with several American business leaders, as well as some state leaders.
“There will be, I believe, good news to share in the next few months, particularly in terms of their plans to expand and further broaden their investment footprint in our country,” Mr. Marcos said.
“Our discussion with the US business community affirms the optimism with which international investors view the Philippines today,” he added.
The President met with executives from several American firms such as P&G, the World Bank, and some state leaders including Biden and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Mr. Marcos held formal and informal bilateral meetings with leaders of Philippine key allies, such as the US and Japan.
He left for New York City on Sept. 18 and attended the UN General Assembly, where he met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to reaffirm the country’s partnership with the United Nations, of which it is a founding member.
Mr. Marcos also met several business leaders from different companies who committed to be a part of Philippine development and economic growth.
The Chief Executive also addressed global investors, traders, and other guests at the New York Stock Exchange, where he was asked to ring the closing bell on the trading floor.
Mr. Marcos urged companies to come to the Philippines and tap its potential as one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies.
Before his US trip, the President also made fruitful state visits to Indonesia and Singapore, which were able to bring in more than $14 billion in investment pledges.
“We at the House of Representatives will help in making these investment pledges come to fruition. If the President needs any piece of legislation to materialize the objectives of these bilateral trade and investment agreements, we will answer the call,” Romualdez said.
He cited pending legislation aimed at facilitating better the inflow of foreign investments.