In a surprise announcement on Monday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will travel to Singapore for a working visit from 14 to 16 July.

Speaking at a Palace briefing, Castro said the trip aims to further strengthen bilateral relations and deepen cooperation with one of the Philippines' key partners in Southeast Asia.

She said the visit comes as Singapore prepares to assume the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year, underscoring the importance of close coordination between the two countries on regional priorities.

Marcos is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

The two leaders are expected to discuss expanding cooperation in trade and investment, environmental initiatives, healthcare, and regional and global development. They are also expected to reaffirm both countries' commitment to ASEAN centrality and regional stability.

Marcos will also participate in the Milken Institute Private Roundtable Discussion at the Philippine Embassy in Singapore, where he will meet with business leaders and investors.

The event is part of the administration's efforts to attract more foreign investments following the Philippines' recognition as an upper middle-income country.

Meanwhile, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos will deliver remarks at the Global Economic Cooperation East Summit at the invitation of the Future Economic Cooperation Council, an India-based economic platform that brings together business and government leaders to advance global strategic economic cooperation.