Romualdez meets Cambodia’s PM, seeks rice pact with ASEAN neighbor

Speaker Martin Romualdez met Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet on Monday afternoon to kick off his two-day official visit to the Philippines' neighbor.

In a statement, the Speaker’s office said that the House leader will push for stronger ties between the Philippines and Cambodia, particularly in the issues of rice, tourism, security and defense.

Citing the Philippines' vulnerability to extreme weather events, and the recent typhoons Pepito and Kristine, “ensuring a stable and affordable rice supply has become a national priority," Romualdez said.

"Collaborating with Cambodia, a leading rice exporter, will help us secure a steady supply of this vital commodity,” he added.

The statement also said Romualdez told Cambodia's leader that the House of Representatives stands ready to enhance and deepen ties with the National Assembly of Cambodia through the Philippines-Cambodia Parliamentarians Friendship Group.

In the areas of security and defense, Romualdez and Hun Manet reaffirmed their commitment to working closely on issues affecting regional peace and security.

Ahead of his Cambodia trip, the Speaker led a joint effort of the House of Representatives and the Department of Social Welfare and Development relief initiative which granted 24 truckloads of relief goods and P750 million worth of financial aid to those affected by recent typhoons in the Bicol region, including the island province of Catanduanes. — BM, GMA Integrated News