President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he expects to see a stronger fisheries sector in the Philippines with the help of Indonesia.

Marcos said this would be the immediate benefit arising from the two nations’ signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the Development and Promotion of the Creative Economy.

The deal, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said, “cultivates a common creative economy that leverages on our respective strengths to foster innovation through knowledge transfer in industries, including fashion, architecture, digital media, performing arts, music, theater, dance, and creative services.”

“Nagpatulong ako sa fisheries, kasi obsessed doon ako sa Pilipinas nag-i-import ng galunggong eh. Hindi ko talaga matanggap ‘yan e (I sought for help in the fisheries sector because I am obsessed over how Philippines still has to import round scad. I cannot accept that),” Marcos told reporters in a press briefing at the Fairmont Hotel in Jakarta.

It was in March when then-presidential aspirant Marcos expressed disbelief that the country was importing “galunggong.”

“So I asked for help because matibay ang fisheries nila (they have a strong fisheries sector). So sabi ko (So I said) we exchange delegations. That I think we can – those are the things, especially in the agricultural sector that are going to happen in the very short term,” he added.

Marcos currently heads the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The government has allocated PHP5.1 billion under the 2023 proposed National Expenditure Program for the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of four fish ports in major strategic areas.

Aside from the deal on the creative economy, the Philippines and Indonesia also signed the following:

• Plan of Action between the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of the Philippines from 2022 to 2027.
• Memorandum of Understanding between the government of the Republic of Indonesia and the government of the Republic of Philippines on Cultural Cooperation.
• Agreement on Cooperative Activities in the Field of Defense and Security between the government of the Republic of Indonesia and the government of the Republic of the Philippines

On Sunday, Marcos met with the Filipino community to kick off his first foreign trip to Indonesia.

Marcos and his delegation also held a bilateral meeting with Indonesian officials and a roundtable discussion with Indonesian business leaders and investors on Monday.

Marcos and Indonesian President Joko Widodo issued a joint statement after the bilateral meetings described by Malacañang as “very productive.” (PNA)