The Philippines and Palau have signed three agreements, signaling a new chapter in the bilateral ties of both countries.
Following their bilateral meeting, President Marcos and Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. on Monday, Feb. 24, witnessed the signing of two memorandums of understanding (MOU) and the exchange of a diplomatic note on agriculture and fisheries.
The agreements include the MOU on Policy Consultations which establishes a mechanism for the foreign ministries of the two countries to exchange views on bilateral and regional cooperation, as well as on international issues of mutual concern.
Both sides also signed the MOU on fisheries cooperation that aims to promote sustainable development through fisheries conservation, fishing ventures, joint research activities and the prevention of illegal, unreported and regulated fishing.
Officials from both countries also exchanged diplomatic note for the study visit of Palau officials and stakeholders to agriculture and fisheries facilities in the Philippines.
The technical cooperation aims to support a study visit by Palau agricultural and fisheries officials and stakeholders to take part in experiential learning through visits to Philippine training institutions, hatcheries, research facilities and local Markets in order to observe and study the best practices of the Philippines in these sectors.
Marcos said the signed agreement on fisheries cooperation signals their common desire to ensure sustainability in their countries' life-giving waters.
"We thereby commit as well to work for joint fisheries conservation and to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices," he said in his speech during the joint press conference held after their bilateral meeting.
For his part, Whipps said the signing of the MOUs signaled a new chapter in the two countries' bilateral relations.
"I think these MOUs today signal a new chapter in our relationship and our partnership as we reflect on our shared commitment to sustainable development and putting the well-being and prosperity of our people first," Whipps said.
Labor deal
In his remark, Marcos expressed hopes to finalize the labor cooperation agreement with Palau, considering that there are 4,000 Filipinos working in the foreign country at present.
"Filipinos and Palauans share the same diligence and hardworking spirit, and we see this in the dedication of 4,000 Filipinos that are now making a living in Palau," he said.
"With them in mind, I look forward to the conclusion of our labor cooperation agreement that aims to protect and to promote the welfare of Filipino workers in Palau, as well as the early conclusion of a Social Security Agreement that will guarantee Filipinos who work in Palau access to social benefits," he added.
The President also told Whipps that he is looking forward to the immediate conclusion of their negotiations on the different critical areas of cooperation such as in health, human and in promoting resources development, among others.
"We have made concrete plans for collaboration on Technical Vocational [Education] and Training (TVET) and other forms of technical cooperation, including, as we have seen today, study visits from Palau on agriculture and health, two important pillars of our bilateral relationship. We also recognized the importance of tourism and air connectivity
in bringing us closer as neighbors," Marcos further said.
Marcos further told his Palauan counterpart that the Philippines stands ready to support Palau’s renewable energy and construction sectors with Philippine companies offering cost-effective and quality materials.
United front vs regional challenges
Marcos emphasized that the Philippines is committed to engaging in candid and productive dialogue on how the two countries can present a united front in facing the challenges unique to the Pacific context.
"I reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to working closely with Pacific nations in charting the future of the Pacific and our unyielding support to efforts to advance the resilience of our Pacific kin, which [is] at the heart of the Philippine Pacific Initiative that we launched last year," he said.
"On the multilateral front, I reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to be a trusted partner, an innovative pathfinder, and a dedicated peacebuilder. I look forward to advancing initiatives with Palau that will help achieve a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future for our region," he added.
Highlighting the MOU on policy consultation, Whipps said they want to encourage sharing of information on an official level, stressing the importance of those consultations and the exchange of views on bilateral, regional, and cooperation on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
He also underscored the need for a united front in combating climate change impacts.
"And I think now more important than ever, we must collaborate in navigating the geopolitical issues and pressures that we face, especially the existential threat that we face with climate change," Whipps said.