Cambodian Prime Minister, His Excellency Hun Manet, welcomes Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez at Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor in Siem Reap Cambodia where they engaged in a bilateral meeting Monday afternoon. Speaker Romualdez is on a two-day official trip Cambodia to pursue the commitment of both countries to enhancing cooperation in rice trade, tourism, security, and defense.
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA – Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has embarked on a two-day official visit to Cambodia, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the area of rice trade. The Speaker met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, reaffirming the commitment of both countries to enhance cooperation in rice trade, tourism, security, and defense.
Recognizing the Philippines’ vulnerability to climate-related disruptions, including increasingly violent tropical storms, Speaker Romualdez highlighted the need for a stable and affordable rice supply. He emphasized that ensuring food security is a national priority, especially in the wake of recent typhoons that devastated parts of the Philippines, such as the recent super-typhoon Pepito and typhoon Kristine.
“Collaborating with Cambodia, a leading rice exporter, will help us secure a steady supply of this vital commodity,” said Romualdez. “Strengthening our food security not only protects Filipino families but also ensures our resilience in the face of extreme weather events.”
He noted that despite increasing local rice production, the Philippines still relies on imports to ensure a steady supply, primarily from Vietnam and Thailand. The Speaker highlighted the agreement reached between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne in March this year to boost rice trade between the two countries.
Romualdez also expressed his gratitude for Cambodia’s commitment to diversifying its import and export markets and expressed his optimism about the upcoming Philippine trade and investment mission to Phnom Penh in January 2025.
Beyond rice trade, the Speaker and Prime Minister Hun Manet discussed advancing mutual interests in tourism and people-to-people exchanges. Speaker Romualdez assured the Cambodian Prime Minister of the House of Representatives’ commitment to strengthening ties with the National Assembly of Cambodia through the Philippines-Cambodia Parliamentarians Friendship Group, Inc.
In the areas of security and defense, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working closely on issues affecting regional peace and security.
Romualdez’s visit marks a significant step forward in the Philippines-Cambodia bilateral relationship, demonstrating the enduring partnership between the two nations.
