The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is collaborating with the United Korean Community Association (UKCA) for the education and training of its personnel on humanitarian and disaster response.

In a meeting at the PCG headquarters in Port Area on Thursday, PCG commandant CG Admiral Artemio Abu and UKCA president Jae Sin Sim signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize the partnership.

“UKCA has committed to partner with the PCG in conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations to be of service to Filipinos and Koreans in the Philippines. This will be done by providing education and training opportunities for Coast Guard personnel, specifically on rescue operations,” the PCG said in a Facebook post.

Abu said the MOU symbolized the “strong friendship and solidarity” between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea.

In a separate Facebook post, the UKCA said the MOU is the first agreement made between the PCG and the said organization.

The agreement, it said, aims to provide service to Filipino and Korean nationals living in the Philippines in times of natural disaster.

“We look forward to continuing the harmonious relationship between the two countries and to enhance this agreement further for the betterment of our society,” the UKCA said. (PNA)