Enjoy Palawan, Marcos Tells VP Harris

President Marcos wore the hat of tourism salesman for visiting US Vice President Kamala Harris, inviting her to sample the country’s pristine beaches and world-class resorts in Palawan.

Harris, in the country for a three-day visit, paid a courtesy call on Marcos at Malacañang on Monday, Nov. 21.

“I am delighted to be able to welcome you to the Philippines on your first visit to our country after our very, very brief conversation back in Bangkok,” Marcos told Harris.

Marcos and Harris attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov. 18 and 19.

Marcos said he would like the US official to see more of the Philippines’ stunning attractions but her visit is short.

“It is unfortunate that it is such a quick visit. We would have hoped to have shown you more of the Philippines,” the President told Harris.

“Although, I suppose you actually are doing that because you are seeing some of the prettiest parts of the Philippines in Palawan. And I’m sure you’re just going to the resorts and the beaches,” he said, to which Harris replied, “That is not the life I’ve chosen these days.”

The Chief Executive has repeatedly cited the tourism sector as among the country’s “high potential drivers for economic transformation.”

Harris is set to visit the island province of Palawan, on the edge of the disputed South China Sea, where she is expected to board a Philippine coast guard vessel.

This is the first visit by a high-ranking US official to the country in five years since former president Donald Trump.

Marcos earlier said he is not concerned about possible backlash from Harris’ visit to the province.

“I don’t see why they should. She is in the Philippines and she is visiting another part of the Philippines. And of course, it’s the closest area to the South China Sea, but it’s very clearly on Philippine territory. I don’t think it will cause problem,” Marcos said in a recent media interview, referring to China.

A senior US administration official said Harris’ Palawan visit is an opportunity for her to speak publicly about the strong principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and freedom of navigation.

“It is also an opportunity to underscore the importance of the rules and norms that the Vice President has also frequently talked about, including in this region. And those rules and norms include the strong principle – principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and freedom of navigation,” the senior administration official said.

“So, that’s why she’s going, and she’ll have an opportunity to speak publicly about that while she’s there,” the official added.

“And she’ll have more to say about this when she visits Palawan, but the Vice President will underscore our commitment to stand up for international rules and norms because we recognize the impact that has on Philippine lives and livelihoods,” the official pointed out.

Harris’ visit, according to the official, demonstrates the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to stand with its Philippine ally in upholding the rules-based international maritime or-der in the South China Sea, supporting maritime livelihoods and countering illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.

Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff said that in her Palawan visit, the Vice President would also be discussing environment issues.

Emhoff, who first visited the country during President Marcos’ inauguration in June, dropped by the Gregoria de Jesus Elementary School in Caloocan City to meet with grade school students and promote the safe resumption of classes.

Emhoff led the turnover of health kits to Caloocan City Mayor Along Malapitan and announced an additional $5-million donation from the US “to accelerate the vaccine roll-out” in the Philippines.

“I traveled all around the country encouraging Americans to get vaccinated. I take the same encouragement here in the Philippines. We cannot let our guard down. Look at where we’ve come from but (let us) remember where we were,” Emhoff said.

He revealed the US has “committed over $51 million or more than P3.1 billion to help the Philippines’ COVID-19 response since the outbreak began” as well as “donated 31 million safe and effective COVID-19 vaccinations.”

“Look at how happy these children are,” Emhoff said, referring to the Caloocan students who resumed their classes after his visit. “The US need to continue to help countries like the Philippines win this battle.” – With Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Pia Lee-Brago