Gov’t, U.S. firms ink deals in five essential areas
Agreements of significance to the Philippine healthcare system, Internet access, clean energy production and climate change resiliency were witnessed by President Marcos in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO, California — The Philippines on Wednesday (US Time) signed deals with American companies in five essential areas during the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting here.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. saw important agreements being signed here that will help the Asian country’s healthcare system, Internet access, clean energy production, and climate change resiliency. In his remarks during the signing ceremony, Marcos reassured private and public partners in the Philippines and the United States that his administration would provide the resources needed to make the relationships work.
Unwavering commitment
“The partnerships we celebrate today are manifestations of the unwavering commitment of the United States and the Philippines in terms of collaboration, innovation, and progress. [They] will bring us closer to our vision of a more prosperous and sustainable Philippines,” Marcos said.
The President witnessed the signing of an agreement between AC Health and Varian Medical Systems to build the Philippines’ first cancer hospital.
AC Health will build the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital in the Philippines. It will be part of a network of oncology clinics in Metro Manila and will use Varian’s modern, multimodality cancer care equipment.
“The initiative is a vital stride in the fight against cancer, and it reflects the Philippines’ growing potential as a leading healthcare destination in Asia,” Marcos said.
AI tech in weather forecasting
He also saw contracts being signed to use artificial intelligence technology to create a high-resolution weather forecasting system for the Philippines.
Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary Maridon Sahagun and California-based ATMO Inc.’s CEO and founder Alexander Levy signed the agreement.
The representatives of Lloyd Laboratories, headed by Dr. Lloyd Balajadia, and Ramandeep Singh Jaj of Difgen Pharmaceuticals LLC inked a collaboration agreement to work together on the filing of Abbreviated New Drug Applications and the marketing of pharmaceutical products developed together in the United States.
1st US FDA-approved manufacturing facility in Phl
Additionally, Lloyd Laboratories will invest up to $20 million in the construction and operation of the first US Food and Drug Administration-approved manufacturing facility in the Philippines, strengthening the country’s standing as a major player in the world pharmaceutical market.
In addition, MERALCO and representatives of Ultra Safe Nuclear Cooperation, led by CEO Francesco Venneri, inked a pre-feasibility study agreement regarding the possible installation of Micro Modular Reactors “to enforce the sustainable energy agenda and provide affordable and dependable access to power, particularly to the underserved and off-grid areas for economic empowerment.”
Likewise, a contract was inked by ORBITS and ASTRANI to launch the first two Internet satellites specifically intended for the Philippines.