Thank you for the kind introduction.

Ambassador Miguel Utray;
Economic and Commercial Counsellor Silvia Torices;
Director Ma. Carmela Teresa Cabreira; (DFA)
Esteemed partners in development;
Colleagues in government;
Special guests, good morning.

Thank you to the Government of the Kingdom of Spain for your continued friendship and partnership with the Philippines. Beyond diplomatic ties, our relationship reflects a shared commitment to improving lives and creating real opportunities for our people.

This Framework Protocol comes at an important time. As we pursue our development priorities, we must continue to foster strong partnerships that expand access to financing, expertise, and innovation.

In the Philippines, we are focused on building stronger foundations for growth. We are working to make sure that progress reaches more people and more communities. Partnerships like this help make that possible.

This Framework Protocol supports our efforts in two practical ways.

First, it helps expand access to development financing. This means more room to move forward on big-ticket projects like roads, infrastructure, and services that help communities grow and stay connected.

Second, it strengthens technical cooperation. It allows the Philippines and Spain to learn from each other’s experience. This helps both nations improve how we design and deliver results.

At the Department of Finance, we see this partnership as an investment in people. It is an investment in their opportunities and their future.

We aim to see roads that connect communities, systems that improve public services, and institutions that serve citizens more effectively. That is the work we are committed to delivering together.

Maraming salamat. Gracias. Thank you very much.