10-year deal to boost PH-US scientific collaboration

“The United States is proud to partner with the Philippines to promote scientific advancement and cultivate relationships based on open collaboration,” Kim said in a statement on July 16 and was released by the embassy on Wednesday. (File Photo: U.S. Embassy in the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA— The Philippine and the United States governments have signed a new agreement on science and technology, ensuring an increased scientific collaboration between the two nations.

The agreement on scientific and technological cooperation was signed by US Ambassador Sung Kim and Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la Peña at the closing of the 8th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) between Washington and Manila.

“The United States is proud to partner with the Philippines to promote scientific advancement and cultivate relationships based on open collaboration,” Kim said in a statement on July 16 and was released by the embassy on Wednesday.

Kim believes the combined abilities of the two states’ scientists, institutions, and communities “are more than a match for the shared challenges we face.”

De la Peña, meanwhile, hailed the signing as he cited that a lot of work still needs to be done in this aspect of the Philippine and US relations.

“There is so much to work on together, particularly those problems that will affect ordinary people. Whether you are talking about the environment or innovation, there is much to gain by mutual cooperation,” he said.

According to the embassy, the planned areas for cooperation under the agreement include public health, marine sciences, environmental protection, and energy.

The agreement, signed during National Science and Technology Week, will be in effect for 10 years.

During the BSD, the US also announced a new “Philippines-US Alliance Fellowship” for young Philippine scholars.