Ambassador-Designate from Singapore celebrates Quezon's Day, deepens bilateral ties

By Nimfa Estrellado Constance See Sin Yuan (Photo from Doktora Helen Tan/FB) LUCENA CITY, Quezon - During the 146th Quezon Day celebrati...

By Nimfa Estrellado

Constance See Sin Yuan (Photo from Doktora Helen Tan/FB)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon - During the 146th Quezon Day celebrations held in Lucena City, Quezon, on August 19, 2024, Singapore's Ambassador-Designate to the Philippines, Constance See Sin Yuan, delivered a powerful speech that underscored the deep historical ties and shared aspirations between Singapore and the Philippines.

While commemorating President Manuel Luis Quezon's legacy, she emphasized the importance of his vision for the Philippines in shaping the strong bilateral relations between the two nations today. Ambassador See Sin Yuan praised the people of Quezon Province for their dedication to preserving President Quezon's values of social justice, education, and Filipino identity, which resonate deeply in both the Philippines and Singapore. She lauded Quezon Governor Angelina Helen Tan's dynamic leadership and vision for the province, highlighting the alignment with Singapore's own development goals.



Gov. Tan expressed her appreciation for the recognition, stating, "We are honored by Ambassador See Sin Yuan's kind words and recognition of our efforts. Quezon Province is eager to collaborate with Singapore and learn from their experiences in sustainable development and innovation."

She further emphasized the province's openness to partnerships, adding, "We are particularly keen on exploring collaborations in sustainable agriculture and tourism, as these sectors hold immense potential to uplift our communities and drive our nation's progress."

Ambassador See highlighted the parallels between Quezon's pursuit of social justice and national development and Singapore's own journey towards progress. She acknowledged Quezon's dedication to education and his efforts to uplift the lives of ordinary Filipinos, principles that resonate deeply with Singapore's own values.

She also underscored the robust and multifaceted relationship between Singapore and the Philippines. She proudly noted Singapore's consistent position as a top investor in the Philippines, contributing significantly to key sectors and demonstrating confidence in the Philippine economy. She also highlighted the strong economic ties, with bilateral trade exceeding US$12 billion last year.

Looking ahead, the ambassador identified potential areas for collaboration, particularly in sustainable agriculture and tourism. She recognized Quezon Province's rich potential and expressed a desire to explore new opportunities for sustainable food production, ensuring food security while contributing to the province's prosperity. She further emphasized the alignment with the Philippines' goal to produce 30% of its nutritional needs locally by 2030.

Ambassador See Sin Yuan reflected on the enduring friendship between Singapore and the Philippines, a relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and shared aspirations. She expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome and conveyed her best wishes for the continued prosperity of both nations.

See Sin Yuan, announced the successful conclusion of President Tharman Shanmugaratnam's State Visit to the Republic of the Philippines, which took place from August 15 to 17, 2024. During the visit, various agreements were signed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, education, and defense.

She said President Tharman's state visit to the Philippines successfully strengthened bilateral ties, particularly as the two countries celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations. The visit focused on enhancing collaboration in various areas, including carbon credits, healthcare, sustainability, and people-to-people connections.

Both Presidents expressed their commitment to continue working together on various fronts, fostering a strong and enduring partnership between Singapore and the Philippines. The visit also highlighted the importance of regional stability and security, with discussions on maritime cooperation and counterterrorism efforts.