The Philippines Expresses Strong Support for the Changi Regional HADR Coordination Centre

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (left) exchanging a handshake with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Voltaire T. Gazmin (right) during the bilateral meeting held at the Department of National Defense in Manila, Philippines this afternoon.

On his introductory visit to the Philippines, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen met with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Voltaire T. Gazmin at the Department of National Defense in Manila, Philippines this afternoon. During the meeting, Dr Ng welcomed the Philippines' strong support towards the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Coordination Centre (RHCC). Hosted in Singapore, the Changi RHCC was set up recently with the aim to contribute towards a more effective regional response to disasters by facilitating military-to-military coordination.

Both Dr Ng and Secretary Gazmin reaffirmed the warm bilateral defence relations between the two countries, as well as the strong cooperation at multilateral fora such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus and the Shangri-La Dialogue. Dr Ng and Secretary Gazmin also agreed to an annual defence dialogue at a senior official level to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.

Dr Ng's visit to the Philippines underscores the warm defence relations between Singapore and the Philippines. Both sides interact regularly through exchanges of visits, cross-attendance of courses, and other professional interactions. As part of his visit, Dr Ng also visited the Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council earlier today.

Dr Ng (right) being briefed by Undersecretary Alexander P. Pama, Executive Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Operations Center and Administrator of the Office of Civil Defense.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen laying a wreath at the Rizal Monument on 26 September during his introductory visit to the Philippines.