Together, our Singapore spirit: Singapore at 56 and Mabuhay to our enduring partnership with the Philippines

THe Republic of singapore turns 56 today, august 9, 2021. The last 56 years may have been rife with challenges, but our small city-state in southeast asia has continued to not only survive, but also thrive. even as the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the daily lives of singaporeans and our linkages with the world, we have continued to engage our partners in the region and beyond. continues to battle new waves and variants of the virus.

Our two governments will continue to explore mutually beneficial areas of cooperation that will pave the way for Singapore and the Philippines to emerge from the pandemic stronger together. At the recent Fifth Informal Consultations on the Philippinessingapore Action Plan held on July 14, 2021, we identified opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation in new areas of growth such as the digital economy and the environment in the post-covid-19 “new normal”. We also committed to a sustainable post-pandemic economic recovery, and looked forward to the safe resumption of travel between our two countries when conditions permit.

To our Filipino friends who have walked with Singapore on our nationbuilding journey, maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat! I am confident that Singapore and the Philippines will continue to grow and prosper together in the years ahead.

The author is the Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the Republic of the Philippines.