PH, Canada to sign deals on energy, trade, others during Marcos' visit

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Canada are expected to forge agreements in the areas of energy, natural resources, trade and investment, labor and immigration, tourism, culture and the arts, according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.

She is referring to the purpose of the four-day official visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Canada.

He is leaving for Vancouver before 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

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“The president is also scheduled to attend various business meetings and private sector engagements, particularly meetings with key Canadian economic stakeholders in the fields of mining, information technology and business process management (IT-BPM), telecommunications, nuclear energy, and financial services,” said Castro in a Palace briefing on Tuesday.

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She said the trip will also further strengthen the good relations between the two nations.

Marcos’ foreign trip comes amid the ongoing rally organized by Iglesia ni Cristo at the Edsa People Power Monument in Quezon City and Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

The religious sect is calling for transparency and accountability. Its members are also expressing support for Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who is facing a looming non-bailable plunder case.

When asked why Marcos opted to proceed with the foreign travel, Castro said it is because the president also believes in the transparency and accountability being advocated in the INC-led rally.

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“This has been scheduled for quite some time, and the president also needs to carry out his duties. He cannot simply halt his work because of rumors that someone might storm Malacañang or attempt to carry out a destabilization effort,” she said.

“The president will not be stopped from doing his work for the people. However, we respect the leadership of the INC, and we do not believe that they are behind any destabilization efforts,” she added.

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In Vancouver, Marcos will meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to take up the defense and economic partnerships between the two countries.

They will also discuss the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the strategic priorities of the region.

Canada has been an Asean dialogue partner since 1977, and has maintained a strategic partnership with Asean since 2023. /apl

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