Cebu Hosted MOA Signing To Strengthen PH Ports,Maritime Security

Cebu played host to the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to strengthen maritime and port facilities between the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) and four major port authorities across the country.

Transportation Usec. Julianito Bucayan Jr. witnessed the MOA signing last Tuesday led by OTS Administrator Commodore Roland Recomono and top officials of the Cebu Port Authority (CPA), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) and the PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority (PIA).

The pact is aimed at making the concerned agencies ensure the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facilities (ISPS) Code and the National Security Program for Sea Transport and Maritime Infrastructure.

Bucayan who represented Sec. Joseph Emilio Abaya read the latter’s message stating that maritime security threats are issues vital to the economic well-being of the country which should be addressed accordingly.

“We must be daring and innovative to find viable solutions in the pursuit to protect our maritime transport system against acts of terrorism for the common good of the country, the maritime industry and the Filipino riding public,” contained Abaya’s speech.

During the press conference that followed after the MOA signing, Recomono said the Philippines is only about 60 to 65 percent compliant in implementing standard security measures in port facilities under the ISPS Code.

With the pact, Recomono expressed hopes that all port authorities will comply and implement standard comprehensive security measures in all ports under its jurisdiction.

“By middle of next year, we hope for the PH to be 100 percent compliant to the ISPS Code” when it comes to port facilities, said Recomono.

“For shipping lines, the Philippines is already 100 percent compliant in instituting standard security measures under the ISPS Code,” claimed Recomono.

The ISPS Code is a comprehensive set of measures designed to strengthen the security of ships and port facilities following the 9/11 terror attack in New York in response to perceived threats to ships and port facilities. Implementation of the code is enshrined in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) to which the Philippines is a signatory.

According to Recomono, the agreement also entails consequential power for the port authorities to impose fines and penalties in violation of security regulations.

All port authorities are required to have a detailed security plan to which its security measures should be uniformly implemented by all port facilities under its management which will form the basis on the issuance of security certification by the OTS.(mbcn/fcr/PIA-7)

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