THE Philippines is looking to forge a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for an exchange of information with the Arab nation in a bid to bring in more investors to the Philippines and join an international alliance to protect mangroves and other natural resources in the country.
Last Tuesday, President Marcos Jr. directed Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to study and craft the possible MOU with UAE and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to look into joining the “Global Mangrove Alliance,” an international organization composed of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), governments, scientists, industry, local communities, and funders collaborating to help conserve and restore mangrove ecosystems.
The President, during the courtesy call of UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi, was also invited to attend the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference at the Expo City in Dubai in December.
Marcos said the DENR would be very interested in joining the Global Mangrove Alliance as the Philippines has been exerting efforts to preserve and restore mangroves in the country.
He said the country even has a law stating that “you cannot touch mangroves at all, and because of that, the mangroves have grown back.
“In fact, they grow back so much that sometimes they are already beginning to block the rivers. So maybe there is much you can learn on the management of it because I think we have done as much as we can in terms of preservation,” he added.
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE
The UAE government has vowed to continue supporting the Philippines’ environmental programs as well as its economic policies.
The UAE Ambassador said there are a lot of companies from his country interested in building their businesses in the Philippines and a possible MOU on information exchange would be beneficial to determine potential areas of cooperation.
He said the UAE has forged MOUs with around 40 countries, such as Egypt, Spain and Jordan since the “platform knowledge” program started in 2018.
The President said he is looking forward to signing the MOU.
He also welcomed the UAE’s invitation to the PNP to study cybercrime-related cases and offer scholarships for police officers’ training.
Marcos also thanked the UAE for its donation and assistance to the families affected by the Mayon Volcano unrest.
The UAE government has sent 50 tons of food and medicines to the communities affected by the Mayon unrest. The donation was received by the Albay government last Tuesday afternoon.
“Thank you. That is very, very generous of you. Unfortunately, the Philippines falls victim not only to volcano explosions, but of course to typhoons, and earthquakes. We are in that part of the world where we are vulnerable. We are hoping that the activity of the volcano will start to calm. But we cannot say that for sure, but we are watching it closely,” Marcos said, adding the Philippines would soon reciprocate the UAE government’s kindness to the Filipino people.
