PCO chief: Marcos’ visit to Canada is a success

VANCOUVER — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to Canada was deemed a success by Acting Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez on Saturday, pointing to upgraded bilateral ties and new pacts.

According to Gomez, the four-day visit, marking a historic first for a Philippine president in over a decade, successfully mapped out a strategic partnership and expanded bilateral trade and investment opportunities.

He said Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recognized the Philippines as one of Canada’s key partners in the Indo-Pacific, while also highlighting the valuable contributions of over 1 million Filipinos living in the host country.

“So, talagang napakahalaga sa kanila ‘yung partnership natin at ng mga Pilipino dito sa bansang Canada (the partnership between the Philippines and Canada is very important),” Gomez said.

READ: Marcos pushes PH as Canada’s mining partner

What Marcos’ visit to Canada achieved

Gomez said the “most important” achievement of the visit was the elevation of Philippine-Canada relations to a strategic partnership, the highest level of bilateral engagement between the two countries.

He also cited the commitment of both leaders to conclude the negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries before the year ends.

Gomez said the FTA would liberalize trade by reducing tariff barriers, boosting bilateral commerce and creating more economic opportunities for both countries.

“So, magkakaroon ng (there will be a) free flow of trade between the two countries at mag-i-increase yung bilateral trade natin sa ating dalawang bansa (and the two nations’ bilateral trade will increase),” he said.

Among the key outcomes of the visit was the signing of four agreements covering critical minerals and energy, labor and migration, tourism and people-to-people and cultural cooperation.

Gomez said the labor and migration agreement seeks to strengthen the protection and welfare and security of Filipinos in Canada, while ensuring fairness and transparency in the implementation of immigration policies.

READ: Strategic ties, $2.5-B investment pledges mark Marcos’ Canada visit

He added the agreement also opens new doors for Filipino professionals seeking employment in Canada.

Gomez also underscored the visit coincided with the World Bank’s reclassification of the Philippines as an upper middle-income economy, a development he said would make the country more attractive to foreign investors.

He said Carney acknowledged the Philippines’ improved economic standing and reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to expanding trade and investment ties with Manila.

He said several Canadian firms expressed interest in investing in or expanding their operations in the Philippines, after Marcos led a series of business meetings.

Gomez said the expected increase in investments would generate more quality jobs for Filipinos.

“At the end of their bilateral meetings, dahil sa lahat ng mga kasunduang ito (because of these agreements), both leaders are optimistic na lalawak talaga yung trade relations nating dalawang bansa (that trade relations between the two countries would expand) to the mutual benefit of our peoples,” he said. (PNA)

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