Marcos defends foreign trips: ‘Kailangan natin magpakilala’

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos | FILE PHOTO: John THYS / AFP

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday defended his foreign travels, saying it is vital for the Philippines to introduce itself to potential investors abroad.

“Magpapakilala muna tayo. Kapag hindi tayo bumiyahe at nagpakita sa mga conference na ‘yan, hindi nila tayo iniisip. Wala sa isipan nila ang Pilipinas,” he said in a panel interview.

(We need to introduce ourselves first. If we do not travel and introduce ourselves in conferences, we would never be on their minds.)

“Kailangan natin ipakita kung ano ang ating para mapaganda ang potential investment nila na dadalhin nila dito sa Pilipinas,” the President added.

(We need to showcase the country to show them what potential investments they can bring into the Philippines.)

He also said it is important for him to introduce himself since he has only been just elected as a chief executive in less than a year.

His attendance to conferences and summits abroad, Marcos said, would allow him to build connections with other nation leaders.

“I am the new kid in the block, nobody knows who I am. Kailangan ko magpakilala. It’s important also na magkaroon ng personal na connection sa mga lider,” the President said.

Foreign trips, specifically attending to international forums and conferences, also allow the Philippines to assert its participation in global issues.

“Pagpunta natin sa mga conference na yan, sinasabi nating the Philippines can play its part in fostering and encouraging that cooperation,” Marcos said.

“May lugar tayo, we are participating in the issues, in the discussion and in the efforts in the community of nations kailangan kasama tayo diyan,” he added.

Since he assumed office in July, Marcos has had eight foreign trips to date, which are the following:

-Three-day state visit to Indonesia in September
-Two-day state visit to Singapore in September
-Six-day working visit in United States for the 77th United Nations General Assembly
-Trip to Singapore for the F1 Grand Prix in September
-Trip to Cambodia for the 40th and 41st Association of Southeast Asian Nations summits and related meetings in November
-Trip to Thailand the 29th Leaders’ Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in November
-Trip to Brussels, Belgium to attend a summit between leaders from ASEAN and the European Union in December
-Three-day state visit to Beijing, China in January
-Trip to Davos, Switzerland for the 2023 World Economic Forum

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JPV