With President Bong Bong Marcos’ US visit comes expectations that promises would be realized and the Filipinos can be assured of better lives. If we intend to celebrate what the visit may have achieved let us know first the results, so far.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the President’s third day yielded the following results: he had met with US Vice President Kamala Harris with the promise to 'boost partnership on digital inclusion and clean energy'. She also affirmed her country’s support for the Philippines’ territorial claims over the West Philippine Sea which was upheld by a United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ruling in 2016.
The President also Marcos had a meeting with the United States- Philippines Society and other multinational companies in the US which secured a number of investments and hiring of Filipino professionals and skilled workers:75,000 Filipino seafarers, establishment of P21.4 million BPO company in Ilo-Ilo, $200 million research and development facility in Cavite City, and a P800 million medical BPO.
Discussion with the private companies extends to bring the 'clean and reliable nuclear energy in the Philippines' and $900 million investment for solar energy.
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Company, Moderna, one of the developers of the vaccine for COVID-19, expressed its interest in establishing a 'global shared service facility for Pharmacovigilance' in the Philippines.
Mr. Marcos gained an assurance from the US President Joe Biden which would support the country’s military modernization plans amid the issue on the West Philippine Sea.