(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witnessed the signing of at least three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and one letter of intent (LOI) between the Philippines and Brunei.

Marcos is in the sultanate for a two-day state visit.

The agreements forged between the neighboring nations were efforts to boost tourism cooperation between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam, on Mutual Recognition of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificates, and on maritime cooperation.

The LOI, meanwhile, was for the renewal of an agreement on food security and agricultural cooperation.

The signing was done immediately after the chief executive's meeting with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

The agreement on tourism cooperation was signed between the Department of Tourism (DoT) and the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) of Brunei Darussalam to generate cooperative tourism projects and increase tourist arrivals between the two countries.

It also aims to support niche tourism development, particularly in the area of Islamic tourism and the promotion of Muslim-friendly destinations.

Meanwhile, the MoU on STCW certificates allows the national agencies of the Philippines and Brunei to recognize the national certificates issued by both focal agencies of the two countries.

It also replaces and updates a prior agreement between the Philippines and Brunei signed in 2001.

An MoU on maritime cooperation was also signed between the Philippines and Brunei.

The LOI, on the other hand, was executed between the Department of Agriculture and the Agriculture and Agrifood Department of the Ministry of Agriculture of Brunei Darussalam.

It underscores the interest of the two countries to explore cooperation and collaboration in agriculture.

Bolkiah said the economic ties and people-to-people exchange between the Philippines and Brunei continued to be strengthened.

"Your state visit today is customary to our two countries to continue the friendship and ties. That's clear as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations. I believe that we are commemorating this significant occasion through visits," the sultan said.

"I'm looking forward to further enhancing our friendship in areas of future interest, which I believe will greatly benefit our countries and people," he added.

Marcos said the country's partnership with Brunei would "further bolster political, economic, and people-to-people ties."

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