The Philippines and Palau have agreed on Monday to strengthen cooperation in maritime, labor, health, and education sectors.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vowed to support Palau’s renewable energy and construction sectors, with Philippine companies offering cost-effective and quality materials.

The President made the announcements in a joint press conference with Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. after their bilateral meeting in Malacañan Palace.

The two countries committed to continue discussions on maritime boundary delimitation. They also discussed partnership to improve fishing and aquaculture sectors through sharing of knowledge, best practices, and technologies.

“This agreement also signals our common desire to ensure sustainability in our life-giving waters,” President Marcos said.

“We thereby commit as well to work for joint fisheries conservation and in combatting Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices,” he said.

The President looks forward to the conclusion of a bilateral labor cooperation agreement that will safeguard Filipino workers’ rights and welfare in Palau. In particular, the Social Security Agreement will guarantee their access to social benefits.

The two countries also explored formal cooperation in the field of health, including initiatives to promote human resources development.

The Philippines and Palau seek to collaborate on Technical Vocational Education and Training and other forms of technical cooperation, including study visits from Palau focused on agriculture and health.

They also recognized tourism and air connectivity as key to bringing more collaborations.

On the multilateral front, the Philippines reiterated its commitment to be Palau’s “trusted partner, innovative pathfinder, and dedicated peacebuilder.”

“I look forward to advancing initiatives with Palau that will help achieve a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future for our region,” the President said.

The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with fellow Pacific countries in shaping the future of the Pacific.

“I have agreed to continue consultations and engagements between our two governments in the spirit of our long-standing friendship and Pacific kinship and in pursuit of our common vision of peace, prosperity, and progress for the peoples of our region,” the President said.

The Philippines and Palau will celebrate the 30th year of their diplomatic relations in 2027. | PND