The semiconductor sector emerged as a key focus area for future collaboration. With 85% of globally manufactured chips using Dutch technology and the Philippines serving as a critical production hub for testing and packaging, both countries are positioned to benefit from closer cooperation.

During the visit, Minister De Vries met with semiconductor industry leaders to better understand the domestic landscape and identify potential areas for collaboration, particularly in education, skills development, and workforce training.

In a meeting with Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, both sides underscored the strength of bilateral economic ties built over decades of collaboration.

Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in strategic sectors where Dutch expertise and Philippine capabilities naturally complement each other, including water management and coastal protection, semiconductor development, healthcare, and areas aligned with the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship priorities.

The visit provided Minister De Vries with a comprehensive look at the country’s economic landscape through engagements with both government and private sector stakeholders.

She met with leaders of Dutch companies operating in the Philippines, highlighting how Dutch strengths in agriculture, water management, maritime industries, banking, and renewable energy have translated into long-standing partnerships that support growth and create opportunities locally.

Her two-day program also included exchanges with Asian Development Bank President Masato Kanda, a visit to the ING Bank hub in the Philippines, and meetings with Dutch family business Spliethoff Shipping Company, among others.

The engagements offered insights into ongoing investments and collaborations that continue to shape the economic relationship between the two countries.

Reflecting on the visit, Minister De Vries said: “As we celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, the Netherlands looks forward to building an even stronger partnership with the Philippines.”

“We share many interests and I saw firsthand the many economic opportunities for Dutch and Filipino business, including on water, agriculture and semicon. This visit marks an exciting new chapter in our longstanding friendship,” she added.

Overall, the visit highlighted the multifaceted strength of Dutch-Philippine economic cooperation, spanning government, business, and academic collaboration. It also formed part of a broader calendar of engagements planned by the Dutch Embassy throughout 2026 to commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and the Philippines.

The agreements, finalized following a roundtable discussion hosted by Minister De Vries and Netherlands Ambassador Marielle Geraedts, highlighted expanding collaboration across key sectors including water management, governance reform, and industry development.

Among the signed initiatives was an agreement between Vitens Evides International (VEI) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the donation of additional water bladders to support disaster response.

VEI, which provides capacity building and operational resilience support to local water utilities and government partners, had earlier demonstrated the value of these portable systems during Typhoon Tino and the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Central Philippines in late 2025.

The latest donation of 25 Dutch-sourced units aims to further strengthen emergency preparedness and resilience among Philippine partners.

Another highlight was the formal partnership between the Anti-Red Tape Authority and the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, naming the Chamber as an Anti-Red Tape Champion to reinforce joint efforts in reducing bureaucratic hurdles and promoting a more efficient, business-friendly government environment.

Minister De Vries’ February 9–10 visit focused on strengthening the longstanding trade relationship between the Netherlands and the Philippines, reflecting shared ambitions to expand cooperation in trade, investment, and development. The trip also signaled Dutch commitment to deepening its partnership with the Philippines as a key ally in Southeast Asia.

The ambassador outlined how the Netherlands continues to “punch above its weight” globally—serving as the world’s second-largest exporter of agricultural products and a recognized leader in water management, innovation, climate resilience, and sustainable development. These strengths, she noted, help drive expanding cooperation between the Philippines and the Netherlands.

Promoting Peace, Maritime Security, and International Law

Ambassador Geraedts reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to helping the Philippines strengthen peace, maritime security, and adherence to international law, especially amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea. As The Hague is home to the world’s leading international legal institutions, the Netherlands regularly provides expertise on maritime law and UNCLOS.

A recent Dutch Embassy seminar brought together Philippine Coast Guard personnel and law enforcement agencies to deepen their understanding of maritime rules and improve regional cooperation on maritime security.

Championing Human Rights, Women’s Rights, and Media Freedom in the Philippines

The ambassador emphasized that protecting human rights is a central mandate of Dutch foreign policy. In the Philippines, the Dutch Embassy continues to support initiatives promoting women’s rights, LGBTQI+ rights, media freedom, and the protection of human rights defenders.

She highlighted the embassy’s participation in the global campaign to end violence against women and the annual Human Rights Award, which recognizes outstanding civil society organizations. Last year’s Tulip Award, advocates for the rights of indigenous women. The next honoree will be announced on December 10, International Human Rights Day.

Empowering the Next Generation of Filipina Leaders

Ambassador Geraedts shared the embassy’s flagship youth program, Girls’ Day, which allows high school students to shadow her and learn about diplomacy, foreign policy, and public service. During one visit, students were introduced to senior Department of Foreign Affairs officials, giving them firsthand exposure to how international relations and statecraft are practiced.

She also noted the embassy’s participation in the annual Gender Equality Run as part of its continuing advocacy to advance gender equality and broaden awareness of women’s rights.

Women in Diplomacy: Progress and Perspective

During a tour of the embassy’s Wall of Ambassadors—documenting 75 years of Dutch diplomatic leadership in the Philippines—the ambassador pointed out that the first female Dutch ambassador to Manila was appointed only in 2014. The milestone underscores that even progressive nations move gradually toward gender parity, yet maintain steady progress.

PH–Netherlands Partnership in Sustainable Development, Trade, and Investment

Ambassador Geraedts highlighted the expanding economic relationship between the Philippines and the Netherlands, particularly in agriculture, trade, manufacturing, innovation, and sustainable development.

Dutch expertise in water management and flood control is currently being explored with Philippine government agencies, including NEDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways. The Netherlands’ advanced and efficient agricultural systems offer potential insights for improving productivity and food security in the Philippines.

The envoy also noted Dutch investments in Philippine manufacturing and semiconductor sectors. This includes an orthopedic shoe factory in Bulacan using advanced digital technology, as well as FrieslandCampina—the parent company of Alaska Milk—which continues to expand its presence in the country’s dairy industry. Dutch semiconductor firms also play a significant role in the Philippine electronics supply chain.

In the maritime sector, a long-standing partnership between the Netherlands and the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy supports world-class training for Filipino cadets, many of whom proceed to careers aboard Dutch vessels.

High-Level Dutch Engagement Strengthening Bilateral Relations

Ambassador Geraedts highlighted recent high-level visits that underscore the deepening Philippines–Netherlands partnership, including the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. As the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance, Queen Máxima’s global work on financial inclusion strongly aligns with ongoing efforts to expand women’s economic empowerment and provide underserved communities with greater access to financial tools.

Through these initiatives, Ambassador Geraedts illustrated how the Netherlands continues to champion women’s empowerment, human rights, and media freedom, while advancing trade, innovation, maritime cooperation, and sustainable development. These efforts reinforce the robust and steadily strengthening partnership between the Philippines and the Netherlands.

NCC received the “Water Conservation Initiative of the Year” award after saving 212,000 cubic meters of water and reusing 22.7 million liters of treated wastewater in 2024, thanks to its 200,000-cubic-meter rainwater harvesting pond and advanced wastewater treatment facility in Pangasinan.

The company’s initiatives generated over US$4.7 million in total savings, while 54.9% of its potable water supply came from harvested rainwater, adding US$35,396 in savings.

Beyond operational gains, NCC’s water projects have helped mitigate flooding, support biodiversity, and benefit nearby communities. Native aquatic species such as edible shells, freshwater crabs, and dragonflies have returned to restored waterways, while a recent survey recorded 42 bird species and sightings of the Philippine long-tailed macaque within NCC’s concession area.

NCC also partners with local schools and farmers’ groups to promote water-saving practices, installing rainwater catchment systems and providing tanks to 12 sites under the National Greening Program. Over 200 volunteers join regular creek cleanup drives, while plastic waste is processed through the company’s co-processing system.

The company’s program complies with the Philippine Clean Water Act (RA 9275) and holds ISO 14001:2015 certification. NCC has also received several national and regional citations, including the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (2024) and the DENR-MGB Region I Best Performing Mining Contractor awards for 2024 and 2025.