Philippine senator shares insights on climate action, sustainable development, and cultural diplomacy during official visit to Singapore.
SINGAPORE, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 – Senator of the Republic of the Philippines Loren Legarda is in Singapore from 11 to 14 September 2025 under the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship (LKYEF). Established in 1991, the Fellowship invites outstanding individuals recognised for their leadership and contributions to their nations’ development, as well as their role in strengthening ties with Singapore. Senator Legarda is the 83rd Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow and the fifth recipient from the Philippines.
During her visit, Senator Legarda is scheduled to call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong. She will also be hosted to meals by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu. In addition, she will meet Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Low Yen Ling. Mr Lee Tzu Yang, Chairman of the LKYEF, will host a welcome dinner in her honour.
Senator Legarda’s programme includes briefings and site visits focused on carbon credits, water management, urban planning, sustainability, and education. A key highlight of the visit was her public lecture delivered on 11 September at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, jointly organised by the Philippine Studies Programme and the Climate Change in Southeast Asia Programme.
The lecture, titled “Environmental Governance in the Philippines: Redefining Development and Sustainability in the Age of Climate Change”, underscored her pioneering legislative work, including the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and the Climate Change Act. She also outlined upcoming measures on the Blue Economy, Low Carbon Development, and Circular Economy, reinforcing her long-standing advocacy for climate action.
In her address, Senator Legarda said, “Climate governance is not just an environmental issue but a development imperative. By embedding sustainability into our policies, we can secure a future that is both resilient and inclusive.”
Following the lecture, Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo Macaraig presented Senator Legarda with a copy of the Embassy’s book “Making A Mark on the Little Red Dot: Trailblazing Filipino Entrepreneurs in Singapore.” The senator reciprocated by handing over a copy of “From the Philippines to the World” to Mr Choi Shing Kwok, Director and CEO of the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
Published on 25 June 2025, “From the Philippines to the World” highlights the milestones and global reach of the Philippine Studies Programme, a cultural diplomacy initiative that has established academic partnerships with universities worldwide since 2017, including the programme at ISEAS.
Source: MFA, Philippine Embassy in Singapore
