PH vows strong commitment in following new Southeast Asian conventions

Manila, Philippines - The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) held a training on National Legal, Policy and Institutional Reforms (LPIR) Training at its Central Office last October 7. The goal of the training is to ensure the effective implementation of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) and Anti-Fouling Systems (AFS) Conventions for Association of Southeast Asian Nations members.

"This project is a clear demonstration of the continued commitment of the ASEAN countries to move towards a sustainable maritime transport system, and to address significant marine environmental issues through the effective and full implementation of marine environment protection conventions in the South East Asian Region, particularly in beneficiary countries such as the Philippines," said MARINA Officer-in-Charge Vice Admiral Narciso A. Vingson, Jr.

Several MARINA officers graced the four-day training including Atty. Brenda V. Pimentel, Marine Environment Protection of the South-East Asian Seas (MEPSEAS) Regional Consultant, Engr. Joshua Rafale Tolin from MARINA's Shipyards Regulation Service, and Engr. Jose Romualdo Denzon, National Training Expert.

Also in attendance was Engr. Roland Kenneth Ballesteros of the MARINA Shipyards Regulation Service who discussed the current draft of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) on BWM Convention. Atty. Maximo Bañares, Director of the MARINA of the Domestic Shipping Service (MARINA-DSS) meanwhile presented the guide to drafting a BWM Act.

The Train-Implement Course is an essential component of the National Strategic Action Plan of the Philippines which aims to identify the critical milestones along the reform path of the country's maritime industry and its implementation needs in transposing the Conventions into a national legislation.

 

 

Source: MARINA