By Benito Reyes
MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wrapped up his official visit to Canada on Saturday with new investment commitments worth USD2.5 billion and a strengthened strategic partnership aimed at expanding cooperation in trade, security, infrastructure, and emerging industries.
Marcos said the four-day visit marked a new phase in Philippine-Canada relations after productive meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, government officials, and leading business executives.
He said both countries agreed to deepen collaboration across key sectors, including defense, energy, digital innovation, investment, and economic development.
Canadian firms pledged investments in mining, critical minerals, energy, services, and the information technology and business process management industry, signaling continued confidence in the Philippines’ economic prospects.
Companies that expressed interest in expanding their Philippine operations included B2Gold Corporation, OceanaGold Corporation, Telus Corporation, and NQX.
The President said ongoing negotiations for both a bilateral free trade agreement and the proposed ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement are expected to create more opportunities for trade, investment, and regional economic integration.
Canada also committed an initial CAD2 million for projects under the Luzon Economic Corridor, supporting infrastructure upgrades, clean energy initiatives, and more resilient supply chains.
Marcos said he and Canadian officials agreed to strengthen cooperation against economic coercion while promoting stable regional supply networks and increased bilateral commerce.
To ensure sustained collaboration, the President instructed Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaro to work closely with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in crafting a comprehensive action plan addressing future technological, environmental, and geopolitical challenges.
He also welcomed Canada’s continued support for international law, particularly its recognition of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea.
On defense and regional security, Marcos pointed to existing bilateral agreements, including the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement, as key pillars of cooperation between the two countries.
Beyond security and trade, several agreements were signed to enhance collaboration in tourism, culture, labor, and migration.
Marcos likewise promoted the Philippines as a destination for innovation, highlighting discussions on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and workforce development aimed at strengthening the country’s global competitiveness.
The President concluded his visit by meeting with the Filipino community in Canada, where he expressed appreciation for their contributions and acknowledged concerns over recent immigration policy changes.
While respecting Canada’s authority to revise its migration policies, Marcos said the Philippine government is seeking clearer guidelines to help ensure Filipino workers and professionals fully understand their rights and legal status under the new regulations.
elamigo/
