Legarda pushes climate, digital, and energy cooperation in meeting with Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister

Senator Loren Legarda confers with Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong in a courtesy call on September 11 as part of her Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship, reinforcing shared priorities on climate resilience, digital integration, and regional energy cooperation.

Legarda, a longtime climate advocate and regional collaborator, emphasized the Philippines’ vulnerability to climate change, while citing Singapore’s long-term resilience plan as a model for proactive planning. “We want to learn from Singapore despite our different vulnerabilities,” the senator said, citing the Philippines’ large population and developing status compared to Singapore’s small, industrialized profile.

The four-term senator highlighted nature-based solutions, such as reforestation and mangrove rehabilitation, as a cost-effective approach for the Philippines, stressing their potential to generate investment through carbon credits. “Buyers will pay for these credits, and this creates an economic incentive to protect the environment,” she added.

The discussion also covered digital economy initiatives, including cross-border payments, which the senator supports as critical to advancing regional integration.

On energy cooperation, Legarda pointed to the Philippines’ vast renewable energy potential and the need to diversify sources to strengthen energy security.

“We have abundant, largely undeveloped renewable energy resources, and we must diversify to avoid security risks associated with dependence on a single country,” Legarda said. She committed to concrete action, pledging to raise the matter with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the ASEAN group in charge so that it can be clear on the agenda, because it’s good for the economy.

She then further emphasized the importance of aligning with ASEAN’s evolving priorities as the Philippines prepares to chair ASEAN in 2026.

The meeting reaffirmed Senator Legarda’s leadership in positioning the Philippines as a solutions-driven partner in ASEAN, leveraging climate action, digital innovation, and energy development to drive inclusive growth. (30)

Legarda, isinusulong ang kooperasyon sa Klima, Digital, at Enerhiya sa pulong kay Singapore Deputy Prime Minister

Nakipagpulong si Senador Loren Legarda kay Singapore Deputy Prime Minister at Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong noong Setyembre 11 bilang bahagi ng kanyang Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship. Sa kanilang pag-uusap, binigyang-diin ni Legarda ang magkatuwang na adbokasiya ng Pilipinas at Singapore sa climate resilience, digital integration, at regional energy cooperation.

Bilang matagal nang tagapagtaguyod ng klima at rehiyonal na kooperasyon, binigyang-pansin ni Legarda ang kahinaan ng Pilipinas sa epekto ng climate change, at itinuring ang long-term resilience plan ng Singapore bilang huwaran ng maagap na pagpaplano. “Gusto naming matuto mula sa Singapore kahit magkaiba ang aming kahinaan,” ani Legarda, na ikinumpara ang malaking populasyon at developing status ng Pilipinas sa industriyalisadong kalagayan ng Singapore.

Tinalakay rin ang mga solusyong nakabatay sa kalikasan tulad ng reforestation at rehabilitasyon ng bakawan, na may potensyal na makalikha ng pamumuhunan sa pamamagitan ng carbon credits. “May mga mamimiling handang magbayad para sa mga credit na ito, kaya’t nagkakaroon ng insentibong pang-ekonomiya para protektahan ang kalikasan,” dagdag niya.

Sa larangan ng digital economy, sinusuportahan ni Legarda ang mga inisyatiba gaya ng cross-border payments bilang mahalagang hakbang sa rehiyonal na integrasyon.
Kaugnay ng enerhiya, binigyang-diin niya ang malawak na potensyal ng renewable energy sa Pilipinas at ang pangangailangang mag-diversify upang maiwasan ang panganib sa seguridad. Nangako si Legarda na isusulong ito sa DFA at sa ASEAN upang maisama sa agenda, dahil ito’y makabubuti sa ekonomiya.

Sa nalalapit na pangunguna ng Pilipinas sa ASEAN sa 2026, iginiit ni Legarda ang kahalagahan ng pagsunod sa mga umuusbong na prayoridad ng rehiyon.
Muling pinagtibay ng kanilang pagpupulong ang papel sa pagtutulak ng Pilipinas bilang solusyon-oriented na katuwang sa ASEAN, gamit ang aksyon sa klima, digital na inobasyon, at pagpapaunlad ng enerhiya para sa inklusibong pag-unlad. (30)