Phnom penh: Three bilateral agreements are expected to be signed during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s state visit to Cambodia from September 7 to 9, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Friday. The agreements will focus on cooperation in higher education, air services, and combatting transnational crime and human trafficking.

According to Philippines News Agency, DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona stated that the visit aims to enhance economic cooperation on both bilateral and regional levels, while also seeking Cambodia's support for the Philippines' chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026. "The visit is expected to result in agreements and initiatives that will expand cooperation and bring tangible benefits to both Filipinos and Cambodians," Escalona noted during a Palace briefing.

The delegation will advocate for stronger intra-ASEAN trade, including the export of Filipino food, beverages, and pharmaceutical products, as well as the promotion of local franchises. Tourism exchanges between the two countries are also on the agenda. "We're also looking at franchising, the Filipino franchises there. And we hope to have more Cambodian tourists coming to the Philippines and more Filipino tourists going to Cambodia," Escalona added.

Discussions may also address regional concerns such as scam hubs and human trafficking. President Marcos Jr. will be accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and several cabinet members, including Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Roque.

The state visit reciprocates the official visit to the Philippines by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet in February 2025. The last state visit by a Philippine President to Cambodia occurred in 2016. The Philippines and Cambodia celebrated 68 years of diplomatic relations on August 20.