PH, Singapore ink deals on Pinoy healthcare workers, climate financing

The Philippines and Singapore on Thursday signed deals that would protect the rights of overseas Filipino workers, especially healthcare workers, as well as agreements to collaborate on climate financing. 

The presentation of the signed agreements was done after the bilateral meeting of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. and Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Malacañang Palace. 

Shanmugaratnam is in the Philippines for a three-day visit. 

Marcos said the Memorandum of Understanding on the Recruitment of Filipino Healthcare Workers would ensure that there will be a balance between the needs of the healthcare sector of both countries.

''Through this MOU, we express our confidence in Singapore's legal and judicial system, which will ensure that the rights, welfare, and well-being of our kababayan OFWs will be protected as they pursue their careers in Singapore,'' Marcos said. 

He also mentioned the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for Collaboration on Carbon Credits Under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Singapore.

''Hopefully, with this memorandum, we will be able to incentivize both industries and individuals to actively work to reduce their carbon footprint, while allowing the government to mobilize financial resources to boost fiscal space,'' Marcos said.

The Singaporean leader, for his part, acknowledged the importance of biodiversity when it comes to the ties of the two countries. He even mentioned the Philippine Eagle which has been endangered.

''For the Philippines' national bird, the Philippine Eagle, beautiful bird but critically endangered. It's an example of what we need to do to collaborate together to this instance, preserving the very important bird species,'' Shanmugaratnam said.

The Philippine President also said there would be other MOUs, which will be inked by Philippine local government units and the Singapore private sector partners.

''Our bilateral relations have come a long way and have undergone immense transformation since they were established over five decades ago. Our meeting today was an opportunity to reaffirm and [renew] our bonds of friendship and see how we can build upon them further,'' Marcos said. — BM, GMA Integrated News