Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez answers questions from members of the Philippine media in an interview Wednesday evening at Meruorah Hotel Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. The Speaker is among the officials who accompanied President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in his participation at the 42nd ASEAN Summit hosted by Indonesia.
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday said the ongoing summit of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) leaders in Indonesia would benefit the Filipino people in terms of more trade, investments and livelihood opportunities.
He said the free flow of goods like rice among ASEAN nations could result in price stabilization and even reduction region-wide and in each member country.
“Itong ASEAN summit ay napakaganda. Malaking tulong ito sa sambayanang Pilipino, kasi ang pinag-uusapan dito ay yung common interests na kagaya ng trade, investments, at yung pagkalapit ng mga bansa,” he told reporters in Labuan, Bajo, Indonesia.
The Speaker is part of the delegation of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr.
To show the beneficial impact of the conference on ASEAN-member nations, the House leader cited the talks between President Marcos and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The Speaker said the Malaysian leader invited his Philippine counterpart and they talked about enhancing trade between their countries.
“Yan ang isang ehemplo kung pano makikinabang ang taong bayan, kasi with more invetments coming from Malaysia, more trade, magkakaroon tayo ng livelihood, trabaho at saka syempre yung kapital na maidagdag sa ating ekonomiya,” he said.
He said close relations between Malaysia and the Philippines would also have a positive effect on the peace process in Mindanao.
“Kinakamusta ni Prime Minister Anwar ang ating mga kapatid sa BARMM sa south, at masaya naman si President Marcos na meron namang progress at saka gusto rin nila ipaunlad yung region,” he added.
He also revealed that bilateral talks with Laos, the host of the next ASEAN summit, and Vietnam were held.
“We have also trade relations with them. Kagaya dito sa ating pag-import ng food items and other vital commodities na kailangan ng ating mga taong bayan gaya ng bigas at other commodities na magpapababa ng presyo ng mga materials kagaya ng bakal, semento and the like,” the Speaker said.
The Philippines imports rice from Vietnam and Thailand.
“So this summit is very important, na itong ating relations (with other ASEAN nations) ay naging mas matibay at lumalakas, at yung understanding and cooperation for peace, stability and security within the region,” the House leader stressed.
