PRRD to witness signing of bilateral deals with SoKor

Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul Hernandez, in an interview with Radio Television Malacanang (RTVM) on May 31, said the four bilateral agreements will further enhance and strengthen both countries’ bilateral relations and cooperation in all fields. (TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

SEOUL, South Korea — Immediately after his meeting with Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in, President Rodrigo R. Duterte will personally witness the signing of several bilateral agreements at the Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) here on Monday afternoon.

Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul Hernandez, in an interview with Radio Television Malacanang (RTVM) on May 31, said the four bilateral agreements will further enhance and strengthen both countries’ bilateral relations and cooperation in all fields.

Hernandez enumerated the four agreements, as follows:

1. Loan agreement on the Cebu International Container Port project which will increase the capacity and efficiency of the new Cebu International Container Port and boost the economic development of Cebu and the surrounding regions by providing jobs to the residents and inject bigger to the Philippine economy due to unimpeded flow of goods and services in the Visayas region.

2. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation in the field of transport between the Philippine Department of Transportation and the Koreas Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport.

“This MOU will bolster a cooperation in the transport sector and this MOU is meant to enhance a joint participation in construction projects in either country or in third countries, facilitation of enhancement of transport safety, security and environmental protection and facilitation of the provision of transport related human resources, equipment and materials,” Hernandez said.

3. MOU on scientific and technological cooperation between Department of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Science and Information Communication Technology of Korea.

Hernandez said this MOU will deepen scientific and technological cooperation at the expert’s level in many areas including but not limited to advance material sources.

“We are talking here of biotechnology, nanotechnology, data analysis, artificial intelligence, space technology, innovation policy, metrology etcetera. So in short, this agreement will greatly help the scientific and technological development of the Philippines,” he added.

4. MOU on trade and economic cooperation between Department of Trade and Idustry TI and the Korean Ministry of Knowledge and Economy.

“This will establish the joint commission of trade and economic cooperation and these will be held at the vice-ministerial level to discuss engagements in trade and investment industry and industrial science and technology among other areas of cooperation,” Hernandez said.

Apart from the four bilateral agreements, Hernandez said, other MOUs will be signed separately at Lotte Hotel on June 5.

“One is agriculture cooperation which is actually an agreement that will strengthen regional cooperation among members including in forest policy and technology,” he added.

He said this will help the Philippines in its efforts to rehabilitate forest and prevent further degradation and deforestation.