Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, who paid a courtesy call at Malacañang Thursday, March 19.This marks the Bhutanese leader’s first visit since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Bhutan on October 6, 2025.The Presidential Communications Office called the meeting ‘historic’ being the first leaders’ level engagement between the two countries and the first time the Philippine president hosted a Bhutanese leader at Malacañan Palace.Tobgay, who is in the country to attend the Asian Development Bank’s Asia Pacific Food Systems Forum, requested the meeting with the president, the PCO said.In a press release, PCO said the two leaders talked about current efforts towards the representation of non-resident ambassadors, which &quot;will become more important to enhance ties.”It added that Marcos Jr. also “expressed elation over the present engagement between the Philippines and Bhutan through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for skills training and upskilling of workers.”&quot;President Marcos likewise stressed that after the pandemic, there is a realization of the need to forge new partnerships with friends around the world, not only in tourism and cultural exchange, but also in people-to-people, trade, and investment,” it said.The meeting between the two leaders, according to the PCO, is an important opportunity for substantive engagement on priority areas of bilateral and broader cooperation.In terms of trade, it noted that the Philippines has been exporting commodities to Bhutan such as electronic products, machinery, transport equipment, woodcrafts and furniture, while its top imports from Bhutan include are wine, fresh grapes and virgin olive oil.In tourism, the Philippines welcomed 335 Bhutanese tourists as of November last year and recorded 380 tourist arrivals from Bhutan in 2024.“As for the Filipino diaspora in Bhutan, available information indicates that Filipinos work there as hotel managers,” it added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, who paid a courtesy call at Malacañang Thursday, March 19.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, who paid a courtesy call at Malacañang Thursday, March 19.

Marcos Jr. welcomes Bhutan PM, seeks enhanced ties

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Marcos Jr. welcomes Bhutan PM, seeks enhanced ties

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 19, 2026 08:40 PM PHT

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Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Tshering Tobgay

Bhutan

Courtesy Call

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