MANILA — While it is fair to demand transparency for President Ferdinand Marcos' "frequent" foreign trips, a think tank on Monday said the public should also recognize the importance of the chief executive's international visits.

Dindo Manhit, president of Stratbase ADR Institute, agreed that a more transparent policy regarding Marcos' trips abroad wouldn't hurt. 

"It's good to demand transparency and accountability on that issue but we should not veer away from the importance of these trips," Manhit told ANC.

"From a strategic point of view, I see value in the president’s trip especially as they choose key countries that could lead to stronger partnerships, stronger alliances, that can help address not only security challenges but even economic challenges that we are facing right now."

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Manhit sees Marcos' country visits as "investments" and "no different in expenditures in the social sector." 

The challenge, he said, for the Marcos government is to translate the international engagements to job generation and domestic investments.

Marcos will leave the Philippines on Monday afternoon for Germany and the Czech Republic — his 5th and 6th overseas trip this year.