The Philippines and Palau yesterday signed agreements exploring and strengthening cooperations in agriculture and fisheries while looking into other possible areas of collaborations such as health, education, labor and maritime.
Signed in the presence of President Marcos Jr. and Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. were the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Policy Consultations between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of State of the Republic of Palau; and the MOU on Fisheries Cooperation between the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment.
The two countries also exchanged the Diplomatic Notes for the Study Visit of Palau Officials and Stakeholders to Agriculture and Fisheries Facilities in the Philippines.
The MOU on policy consultations establishes a mechanism for the Foreign Ministries of the Philippines and Palau to exchange views on bilateral and regional cooperation, as well as on international issues of mutual concern; while the MoU on Fisheries addresses the critical technical aspects, including promotion of fishing ventures, sustainable development through fisheries conservation, joint research activities, and prevention of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing between the two countries.
The diplomatic note is a technical cooperation that aims to promote a study visit by Palau agricultural and fisheries officials to take part in experiential learning through visits to training institutions, hatcheries, research facilities, and local markets in order to observe and study the best practices of the Philippines.
Whipps, during a joint press conference with Marcos, said the three deals signal a new chapter in the Philippines and Palau relationship, and “reflects on our shared commitment to sustainable development and putting the well-being and prosperity of our people first.”
“On maritime cooperation, we committed to continue our dialogue on maritime boundary delimitation. We have also discussed the framework of our fisheries cooperation to improve our fishing and aquaculture sectors through the sharing of best practices and technologies, capacity-building initiatives as well, development of fisheries infrastructure, [and] cooperation for international market compliance,” he said.
The two nations also agreed to strengthen cooperation in other sectors such as maritime, labor, health, education, energy and infrastructure.
Marcos also looks forward to the conclusion of a bilateral labor cooperation agreement between the two countries which would promote and safeguard the Filipino workers’ rights and welfare in Palau including a Social Security Agreement that will guarantee their access to social benefits.
