The Philippines and Palau had committed to revitalize their bilateral ties as both countries gradually reopen amid the easing of pandemic restrictions.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Neal Imperial met with Palau Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Keith Sugiyama on Nov. 26 to discuss the strengthening of their bilateral cooperation in various areas such as labor, health, and the resumption of travel between the two countries.
According to the Foreign Affairs department, Imperial and Sugiyama discussed ways to further improve ongoing initiatives in labor and health cooperation, including Palau’s Medical Referral Program (MRP).
The MRP allows hundreds of Palauans to regularly travel to the Philippines to avail themselves of world-class medical facilities for patients whose illnesses cannot be treated in Palau, the agency added.
The two officials also agreed to advance various bilateral agreements and to expand collaboration, including on technical cooperation and capacity-building.
Moreover, Imperial thanked Palau for its "kind treatment of overseas Filipino workers" and expressed the country's hope to the eventual resumption of two-way travel.
The Office of the Asian and Pacific Affairs manages bilateral relations with Palau. Consular services fall under the auspices of the Philippine Consulate General in Agana, Guam, and the office of the Philippine Honorary Consul in Koror.