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'There's much potential': Marcos says PH, Laos to work closely on education, health

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Presidential Communications Office handout" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/news/05/10/president-ferdinand-marcos-jr-05102023.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Presidential Communications Office handout</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday said the Philippines and Laos would work closely on education, health, and people-to-people exchanges, noting potential benefits for the two countries. </p><p>During his bilateral meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Marcos said he was proud of the contributions Filipinos made in the education sector of Lao People&#x27;s Democratic Republic. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/09/23/marcos-departs-for-indonesia-for-42nd-asean-summit">After visits to US, UK, Marcos departs for Indonesia for 42nd ASEAN Summit</a></li></ul><p>“But also there’s much more to that; there’s also an educational aspect and I think that we have the basis in our agreements and we can build upon that regard,” Marcos said, as quoted by the Presidential Communications Office. </p><p>Education is something the two countries can promote, he said, “now that things are beginning to open up.”</p><p>“We have always felt that this has been a relationship -- that although this has been a long-standing one that we can further develop. We had a very good working relationship with your predecessor, and we certainly look forward to continuing that during your chairmanship for ASEAN in the next ASEAN sessions,” Marcos told Siphandone. </p><p>“The Philippines and Lao PDR, as I said, have had a very long relationship but it is something that --- there’s much potential, now that our economies, especially here in ASEAN and around the region have begun to show signs of life after the pandemic,&quot; he added. </p><p>The two countries can also strengthen its ties in the tourism sector, the Chief Executive said. </p><p>During the meeting, Siphandone invited Marcos for a state visit in Laos. </p><p>“I would like to extend an invitation from His Excellency Thongloun Sisoulith, President of the Laos PDR, to Your Excellency to make a state visit at a time of convenience for you,” Siphandone said.</p><p>The Presidential Communications Office did not mention if Marcos accepted the invitation, but the Philippine leader also invited Siphandone and Sisoulith to visit the country.</p><p>Laos hosts around 2,000 Filipinos, Marcos noted. </p><div><strong>-- Report from Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News </strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2610242" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><div> </div>

During the meet, the Laos prime minister invited Marcos for a state visit in his country. 