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Ph, Brunei forge pact on maritime coop
By Nidz Godino
“We hope to expand partnerships that we have begun and we feel that there is much potential that we can examine,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his first trip to Brunei as head of state, witnessed along with his host Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah signing of maritime cooperation agreement covering information and research sharing, pollution control and skills training, among others.
Memorandum of understanding on maritime cooperation was one of four deals whose signing was witnessed by Marcos and Bolkiah. Other MOUs were on tourism, seafarers’ training and food security.
It was not clear if signing of MOU on maritime cooperation had anything to do with Marcos’ pre-departure statement that he would discuss with Bolkiah “ways for further cooperation with Brunei in ensuring defense of our countries and of our region.”
Philippines is embroiled in dispute with China over maritime claims in South China Sea.
Two Southeast Asian countries also forged MOUs on mutual recognition of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificates and on boosting tourism.
Also signed was letter of intent to renew MOU on food security and agricultural cooperation.
Two leaders witnessed signing of deals at Istana Nurul Iman, Brunei leader’s official residence. It was one of the first events during Marcos’ two-day visit here.
“I think MOUs that are being signed today that we shall witness, Your Majesty, will be very good start to once again re-energize, and I think areas that we have talked about that we have paid attention to for these MOUs are certainly rich with potential,” he added.
Sultan cited two countries’ stronger people-to-people exchanges and economic ties.
“I’m looking forward to further enhancing our friendship in areas of future interest, I believe will greatly benefit our countries and people,” Bolkiah said.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said MOU on maritime cooperation is “crucial for maritime nations like Philippines and Brunei.”
MOU on recognition of certificates issued under provisions of International Convention on STCW for seafarers permits two countries to recognize national certificates issued by each other’s agencies. It replaces and updates prior MOU inked by two countries in 2001.
MOU on tourism cooperation, meanwhile, was signed between Philippines’ Department of Tourism and Brunei’s Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. It seeks to generate cooperative tourism projects, boost tourist arrivals between two countries, support niche tourism development, particularly in area of Islamic tourism, and promote Muslim-friendly destinations.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said agreement sets stage for “dynamic” partnership between Philippines and Brunei.
She noted deal includes collaborations to expand Halal and Muslim-friendly tourism, medical and wellness tourism, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibition tourism and to increase tourism investments.
“Collaboration is expected to enhance overall tourist experience, strengthen economic ties and contribute to sustainable development of tourism industry in both countries,” Frasco said in statement.
Philippines’ Department of Agriculture and Brunei’s Agriculture and Agrifood Department also inked an LOI to pursue further cooperation aimed at achieving food security by increasing production of agricultural products and further modernizing farming technologies.
Letter is product of third Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation between two countries convened in Manila on Aug. 15 last year.
“It underscores interest of both Philippines and Brunei to explore further cooperation and collaboration on field of agriculture for food security and sustainable agriculture between two countries,” PCO said.
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