PRESS RELEASE | PR-296-2025
(SINGAPORE, 20 November 2025) Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, visited Singapore from 17 to 18 November 2025 to attend the 7th Informal Consultations on the Philippines–Singapore Action Plan (IC-PSAP) held in Singapore on 18 November 2025.
The IC-PSAP was co-chaired by Undersecretary De La Vega and Permanent Secretary Albert Chua of the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Undersecretary De La Vega was joined by Philippine Ambassador to Singapore, Medardo G. Macaraig and Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis M. Alferez of the DFA Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs.
During the meeting the Philippines and Singapore welcomed the steady progress of the partnership under the PSAP framework, which continues to drive initiatives across trade, security, healthcare, and technical cooperation. They highlighted convergence in emerging areas such as agri‑food, biodiversity, digital transformation, renewable energy and the green economy, identifying these as engines of future growth and platforms for sustained collaboration. The delegations reaffirmed their commitment to ASEAN centrality and unity, with Singapore supporting the Philippines’ 2026 chairmanship and Manila confident that close coordination with Singapore’s 2027 chairship will ensure continuity in advancing ASEAN’s goals.
Undersecretary De La Vega also paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, where they reaffirmed the importance of further strengthening cooperation both at the bilateral level and within the ASEAN framework.
While in Singapore, Undersecretary De La Vega and her delegation visited the newly redeveloped Philippine Chancery at 20 Nassim Road, becoming the second group of Department of Foreign Affairs officials to do so following its inauguration led by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro on 20 October 2025.
The visit to Singapore carried a bittersweet significance as it marked Undersecretary De La Vega’s final official engagement in her capacity as Undersecretary for Policy, before she transitions to a full‑time role at the ASEAN National Organizing Council under the Office of the President in preparation for the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship in 2026. (END)
