PH, Palau vow to improve maritime cooperation

The Philippines and Palau vowed to continue their discussion regarding maritime boundary delimitation as well as improvement of the countries' fishing sectors.

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said the two countries have tackled the framework of their fisheries cooperation to improve their respective aquaculture sectors.

''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,'' Marcos said during the joint press conference with Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr.

''This agreement also signals our common desire to ensure sustainability in our life-giving waters. We thereby commit as well to work for joint fisheries conservation and to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices,'' Marcos added.

For his part, Whipps said the Philippines' Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Palau's Ministry of Aquaculture, Fisheries, and Environment would focus on promoting fishing ventures in aquaculture, which will enhance trade and investment in fisheries and develop fishing infrastructure capacity.

''And I think working jointly in our efforts against illegal fishing and also aid exchange and the transfer of technology,'' Whipps said.

Marcos said Filipinos and Palauans have shared the same diligence and hardworking spirit, and this can be witnessed through the dedication of 4,000 Filipinos working in Palau.

''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,'' Marcos said.

Marcos said they also discussed formal cooperation in health and the promotion of human resources development.

''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,'' Marcos said.

''We also recognized the importance of tourism and air connectivity in bringing us closer as neighbors,'' the President added.

Marcos also said the growing trade relations are ''an undeniable indicator of meaningful opportunities in Philippines-Palau economic relations.'' —KG, GMA Integrated News