Marcos to promote seamless passage for seafarers in APEC Summit

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. left the Philippines on Wednesday to attend a major conference of Asia-Pacific leaders in Thailand, vowing to promote seamless passage for Filipino seafarers and push for economic inclusion of small businesses and marginalized sectors.

The Philippine leader also said he would entice investors from Thailand, which is expected to stick to its gradual approach to monetary policy tightening amid rising inflation across the world.

“We will be engaging with the leaders of economies of the Asia-Pacific region to agree on how we can achieve food and energy [security], safe and seamless cross-border passage of our seamen and our other Filipino workers,” Mr. Marcos said in a pre-departure speech.

This will be his first attendance in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit — to be held on Nov. 16 to 19 — since he became president in July.

Mr. Marcos said he would push for the “economic inclusion” of small businesses as well as women, indigenous people, and “other segments (in society) whose economic potential remain to be unlocked.”

He added that he would also touch on digitalization and connectivity, sustainable development, and the “existential problem that we all face, the climate change crisis.”

Members of APEC, which was established in 1989, make up more than 60% of global economic output.

Mr. Marcos said he will meet with Thai business leaders on the APEC sidelines to “invite investments and seek business opportunities” and promote Philippine exports. — Kyle