Hail, and thanks to the most powerful man in the world, His Excellency Joe Biden, the President of the United States of America, who treated our President like a son, giving him what he asked for, allowing him to come home with plenty of gifts from America for the good of our country and people.

Thank God for allowing us to witness the spectacle of a young man with a touch of a British accent imbibed while studying at an all-boys school in England, asking President Biden for help in exploring different opportunities for investment and operations in the Philippines. 

Biden, who is as Irish as it gets, like a father to a son, told President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that he would personally form and send a high-level business delegation to the Philippines to do exactly what Marcos asked.

This event that transpired between Biden and Bongbong Marcos, as part of his attendance at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, Summit in America was as historic as the grant of independence by the US government to the Philippines on 4 July 1946 through Proclamation 2695, recognizing Philippine Independence, signed by President Harry S. Truman.

While the Biden and Marcos event ushered the advent of the nuclear age in the Philippines, paving the way for potential nuclear projects with American providers, the grant of independence in 1946 resulted in the final and complete withdrawal of sovereignty by the United States over the Philippines. The Commonwealth of the Philippines became the Republic of the Philippines. 

President Marcos Jr. has just concluded a six-day visit to San Francisco and Los Angeles in California, and Honolulu, Hawaii, on 20 November 2023. He joined the leaders of 20 other member economies of APEC and 13 IPEF member countries for the 30th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting and the 2nd IPEF Leaders Meeting, respectively.

The discussions were of course very productive, with innovation, resilience, sustainability, and inclusiveness on the agenda. The advent of the peaceful use of nuclear energy in the Philippines has arrived.

One of the milestones in the US visit was the signing of the so-called "123 Agreement," which is a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States.

This paves the way for potential nuclear power projects with American providers as well as for streamlining licensing requirements for the private sector concerning investments in nuclear-related intangible transfers of technology while ensuring the highest standards of safety, security and safeguards.

This will bring us closer to our vision of a more energy-secure and green Philippines.

We have to commend both teams, from the Philippines and the United States, because it is my understanding that this 123 Agreement was done in the fastest time that a 123 Agreement has ever been done.

Meanwhile, there is also the emergence of made-in-India labels in our country and overseas.

India Brand Equity Foundation, or IBEF, is a Trust established by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India to create and promote international awareness of India's label in our markets. 

Recently signed was the IBEF Supply Chain Agreement. It will serve as an important mechanism to improve supply chain transparency and enable sustainable industry development concerning critical sectors and goods. It will also enhance the role of workers and the promotion of labor rights.

The agreement provides a framework for mobilizing sustainable investments, technologies and knowledge transfers from IPEF partners, including the United States, to the Philippines.

Our discussion focused on our vision of technological inclusivity and shared growth.

So, I look forward to the continuing collaboration between our agencies and these companies as we adapt to emerging technologies such as generative AI to ensure that the regulatory framework and workforce development programs are responsive.

(To be continued)