Romualdez cites gains of PH deals with Brunei during Marcos state visit

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez  (Official facebook page of the House of Representatives of the Philippines)

MANILA, Philippines — The country will benefit from the deals  secured by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. in his state visit to Brunei, House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Tuesday.

Romualdez, in a statement, said Marcos deserves praise for sealing the agreements, particularly three memorandum of understanding (MOU) on tourism cooperation, on the Mutual Recognition of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificates; and on maritime cooperation.

“President Marcos, Jr. deserves our commendation for this significant diplomatic achievement. These agreements signify a promising future for our bilateral relations, fostering deeper cooperation and understanding between our countries,” the Speaker, who is with Marcos on his trip, said.

“The Filipino people will undoubtedly benefit from these initiatives through enhanced tourism, improved maritime standards, and strengthened agricultural practices that would spur job creation and generate income opportunities,” he added. 

Marcos said earlier that the Philippines and Brunei will sign the MOUs mentioned, during his two-day state visit. 

The President’s trip includes a meeting with Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and other government and business leaders in Bandar Seri Begawan.

“During this trip to Brunei, we will sign the Philippines-Brunei Darussalam MOU on Tourism Cooperation, and through this MOU, we hope to entice and attract Bruneian tourists to explore the Philippines,” Marcos said in his speech at the departure ceremonies in Pasay.

“Brunei, despite having a relatively small population, it is the quality of tourists and not the quantity that counts,” he added.

Marcos is in Brunei from May 28 to May 29 for his state visit.

He will later travel to Singapore to deliver the keynote address at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue.