Philippines, Japan expand partnership to boost OFW job access
By ,
Agencies
The Philippines' Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has intensified its labour cooperation with Japan's Kagawa Prefecture , aiming to secure more employment opportunities for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). At a meeting held recently at the DMW Central Office, Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac welcomed Kagawa Governor Toyohito Ikeda and representatives from Japanese labour groups to advance workforce collaboration.The dialogue focused on streamlining recruitment, deployment, and compliance for OFWs, especially under Japan's Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) and Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) scheme. Over 2,100 Filipinos currently work in Kagawa, primarily in caregiving and construction roles, sectors Governor Ikeda identified as in growing need of skilled workers.Cacdac underscored the DMW's commitment to fair and safe employment, calling the meeting ''a meaningful gesture of partnership and shared purpose.' The DMW's Japan Desk currently coordinates with 335 accredited recruitment agencies to expedite processing and strengthen oversight across both land- and sea-based placements.The move aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr 's directive to deepen international labour ties and boost OFW protections. The DMW also reaffirmed its pledge to enhance transparency and engage proactively with Japanese stakeholders to ensure ethical recruitment and improved working conditions abroad.
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Business Standard
29 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Narendra Modi, Marcos unveil strategic push in Indo-Pacific theatre
India and the Philippines on Tuesday signed nine agreements, including a declaration establishing a strategic partnership, as well as terms of reference for talks between their respective armed forces and cooperation on the peaceful use of outer space. The strategic partnership was announced following talks in New Delhi between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr. The meeting came just a day after the Indian and Philippine navies wrapped up two days of joint exercises near the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea -- a region that remains a flashpoint in the long-running maritime dispute between Beijing and Manila. 'India and the Philippines are friends by choice and partners by destiny,' Modi said, standing alongside Marcos Jr. 'From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, we are united by shared values. Ours is not just a friendship of the past; it is a promise to the future.' He added that maritime cooperation between the two nations was 'both natural and essential' for countries with strong seafaring traditions. Later, at a media briefing, P Kumaran, secretary (east) in the Ministry of External Affairs, reiterated India's long-held position on the South China Sea, describing it as 'clear and consistent', and emphasising New Delhi's 'abiding interest' in peace and stability in the region, which it views as part of the global commons. He also confirmed discussions are under way on developing submarine infrastructure in the Philippines. Modi said bilateral trade has been growing steadily and had recently crossed $3 billion. 'To further strengthen trade ties, it is our priority to review the India-Asean free-trade agreement at the earliest,' he said. 'We have also decided to work towards a bilateral preferential trade agreement.' India has also extended a one-year, gratis e-tourist visa facility to Filipino nationals. Marcos said the two countries had 'agreed to continue levelling up our collaboration in defence and security,' and pointed to India's growing defence manufacturing capabilities as a potential contributor to the Philippines' military modernisation. 'We will foster naval and coast guard interoperability via port calls, cooperative activities and capacity building in the maritime domain,' he said. India and the Philippines share strategic concerns over Beijing's growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. Manila continues to face off with China over territorial claims in the South China Sea. Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner Jr has previously said Manila is considering further weapons procurements from India. The Philippines has already acquired a shore-based anti-ship missile system from BrahMos Aerospace in an 18.9 billion peso ($329 million) deal aimed at strengthening its coastal defences. Modi said the strategic partnership would pave the way for deeper engagement between their respective armed forces. He described the Philippines as an 'important partner' in India's Act East Policy and its MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision. 'We are committed to peace, security, prosperity and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. We support freedom of navigation in accordance with international laws,' the PM said. Under India's development partnership initiative, Modi said New Delhi would expand the number of Quick Impact Projects in the Philippines and collaborate on developing sovereign data cloud infrastructure. 'Today, while the President is in India, three ships of the Indian Navy are participating in a naval exercise in the Philippines for the first time,' he added. The PM also highlighted the role of Indian companies operating in the Philippines across sectors including digital technology, health, automotive, infrastructure, and minerals.
The Print
2 hours ago
- The Print
Defence the cornerstone of India-Philippines strategic partnership as both nations take aim at China
While the two countries signed terms of references for staff-level talks between all three services, the strategic partnership focuses on 'co-development and co-production of defence equipment' while also expanding the hydrographic cooperation—study of the physical features of oceans, lakes, and rivers. The strategic partnership was announced following delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Modi and Philippines President Marcos Jr. who is in India on a five-day visit from 4 August. New Delhi: India and the Philippines announced a strategic partnership here Tuesday with defence cooperation at its core, as the two countries took aim at China and expressed concerns over the situation in the South China Sea 'particularly with regard to coercive and aggressive actions'. 'Enhancing cooperation in the area of maritime security including through collaborative efforts for enhanced maritime domain awareness (MDA), cooperation in ship-building, maritime connectivity, coastal surveillance, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), pollution control and search and rescue (SAR) between Navies and Coast Guards,' said the declaration. The Philippines delegation includes 14 cabinet ministers, with ministerial bilaterals expected before the Philippine president departs for Bengaluru. 'We have been going through discussions for cooperation in developing submarine infrastructure in the Philippines, training facilities, helping them with ship design and naval modernisation,' P. Kumaran, the Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said during a special media briefing Tuesday. He highlighted that India has offered a wide range of defence platforms, which may interest Manila as a part of its 'archipelagic defence system.' Manila is also the first country to procure three batteries of the BrahMos missile systems from India, in a deal worth $375 million in 2022. India is delighted to welcome Philippines President, Mr. Bongbong Marcos at a time when we mark 75 years of bilateral relations between our nations. It is equally gladdening that we have decided to elevate ties to a Strategic Partnership, which ensures our cooperation becomes… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2025 In its latest military modernisation plan Re-Horizon 3, Manila has set out a goal for the purchase of at least two diesel-powered submarines for its armed forces. Manila currently does not operate any submarines. The plan envisions a $35 billion modernisation programme over 10 years. France's Naval Group has reportedly offered its Scorpene submarines. The Indian Navy currently operates six of this class-type. The India-Philippines announcement of strategic partnership comes as the situation in the South China Sea remains tense as China continues to press its territorial claims based on the 'nine-dash line'. Manila took Beijing to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague in 2013 over its territorial claims on the 'nine-dash line.' The arbitral tribunal stated in 2016 that China's claim under the nine-dash line has no legal basis in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). India has come out in support of Manila's position in the South China Sea. The declaration of the strategic partnership expressed concern over the situation in the South China Sea 'particularly with regard to coercive and aggressive actions' that impact regional peace and stability. It called on relevant parties to exercise self-restraint and commit to peaceful and constructive means to resolve and manage disputes. While not mentioned in the declaration, the focus on 'coercive and aggressive actions' points to recent incidents including the ramming of Philippine ships by the Chinese coast guard. One such incident led to a serious injury to a Philippine navy sailor last year. On Sunday, a day before the beginning of Marcos Jr.'s planned trip to New Delhi, the navies of the two countries held their first joint exercise in the South China Sea to the irritation of China. One of the four ships sent by India had hydrographic capabilities. Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, said Tuesday, 'Disputes over territorial and maritime rights and interests shall be resolved by the direct parties through negotiation and consultation, and no third party shall intervene.' On Monday, the Southern Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) asserted that Manila's actions for joint patrols in the South China Sea 'undermines' regional peace and stability. New Delhi, similar to Manila, also has territorial disputes with Beijing, especially across the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Ties between India and China cratered after the Galwan military clashes in the summer months of 2020. New Delhi and Beijing have in recent months engaged in confidence-building measures to create a better working relationship including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by China and the issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals by India. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: India to resume visas for Chinese nationals as thaw continues ahead of likely Modi-Xi meet
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Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business Standard
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India and the Philippines on Tuesday signed nine pacts, including a declaration and implementation of a strategic partnership, terms of reference for talks among the armies, air forces and navies of both countries, and cooperation on the peaceful use of outer space. The announcement of the strategic partnership was made after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, a day after the navies of India and the Philippines concluded a two-day joint exercise near Scarborough Shoal — an atoll at the centre of the maritime dispute between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. 'India and the Philippines are friends by choice and partners by destiny. From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, we are united by shared values. Ours is not just a friendship of the past, it is a promise to the future,' Modi said, with Marcos Jr by his side. 'As maritime nations, maritime cooperation between the two countries is both natural and essential,' Modi added. At a media briefing later in the day, P Kumaran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said India's position on the South China Sea is 'clear and consistent', adding that India has an 'abiding interest' in peace and stability in the region, and considers it part of the global commons. He also said that India is in talks with the Philippines for the development of submarine infrastructure. At his joint briefing with the visiting dignitary, the Prime Minister said trade between the two countries was increasing steadily and had crossed $3 billion. 'To further strengthen trade ties, it is our priority to review the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement at the earliest. We have also decided to work towards a bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement,' he said. India also extended a gratis e-tourist visa facility to Filipino nationals for one year. Marcos said the two countries had 'agreed to continue levelling up our collaboration in defence and security', adding that the 'expanding capabilities and footprint' of India's domestic defence manufacturing industry would support the Philippines' ongoing military modernisation. 'We will foster naval and coast guard interoperability via port calls, cooperative activities, and capacity building in the maritime domain,' Marcos added. New Delhi and Manila have shared concerns over China's assertiveness. Manila has a territorial dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea. Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner Jr has said Manila is considering ordering more weapons systems and equipment from India. The Philippines previously purchased a shore-based anti-ship missile system from BrahMos Aerospace — a contract worth 18.9 billion pesos ($329 million) — to boost its coastal defence. Prime Minister Modi said the two countries were elevating their ties to a strategic partnership, with greater emphasis on increasing interaction among the armed forces. He said the Philippines is an important partner in India's Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision. 'We are committed to peace, security, prosperity, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. We support freedom of navigation in accordance with international laws,' Modi said. He added that under the development partnership, India would increase the number of Quick Impact Projects in the Philippines and also cooperate in developing sovereign data cloud infrastructure. 'Today, when the President is in India, three ships of the Indian Navy are participating in a naval exercise in the Philippines for the first time,' he said. Modi also noted that Indian companies are active in sectors such as information and digital technology, health, automobiles, infrastructure, and minerals.
