Philippines Commits to Hold Eight IMO Workshops in Manila

MARINA Administrator Dr. Amaro, Ph.D. (4^th from left), PermRep to IMO Gilberto Asuque (2^nd from left) and members of the PhilDel to C118 calls on IMO Secretary General Kitach Lim (3^rd from left) to commit Philippine hosting of regional and national workshops on IMO regulations.

02 August 2017, LONDON – The Philippines has contributed to the Integrated Technical Cooperation Program (ITCP) for 2018-2019 of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by committing to hold eight regional and national workshops in Manila on various IMO conventions and regulations.

Dr. Marcial Q.C. Amaro III, Ph.D., Administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), officially conveyed the technical assistance in-kind to IMO Secretary General Kitach Lim during the call of the Philippine Delegation to the 118^th session of the IMO Council  (C118) held from July 24-27 at the IMO Headquarters in London.  Administrator Amaro informed SG Lim that the Philippine commitment to hold the workshops was earlier conveyed by the Philippine Delegation to the 67^th session of the IMO Technical Cooperation Committee (TC67) held the week prior to C118 also at the IMO Headquarters.

The ITCP assists IMO Member States in building up their human and institutional capacities for the uniform and effective compliance with the international multilateral treaties which have been adopted within IMO's regulatory framework. It essentially provides the means for capacity building in the maritime administrations to augment the level of implementation and compliance with IMO's international multilateral and shipping-related treaties and supports IMO Member States in fulfilling their obligations emanating from those instruments.

In support for these priorities, the Philippines, through MARINA, has offered to IMO the hosting of the following workshop and training courses:

Regional Training

1. Training course on the implementation of safety regulations for ships not covered by SOLAS and domestic passenger ferries;
2. Training course for Maritime Administrations on the implementation of the ISM Code;
3. Training course on flag, port and coastal state responsibilities including the monitoring of ROs; and
4. Training course on casualty investigation and reporting.

National Workshop

1. National workshop on the legal implementation of IMO conventions;
2. Training course on flag, port and coastal state responsibilities including the monitoring of ROs;
3. Training course on casualty investigation and reporting; and
4. National awareness workshops on the implementation of the IMSBC Code, with special focus on cargoes that may liquefy.

In addition, Dr. Amaro requested IMO assistance for the training of MARINA personnel in  the development of the National Marine Transport Policy in preparation for the mandatory audit of the Philippines in 2021 on its compliance with six IMO conventions.

The in-kind support of the Philippines for the ITCP would add to the funding support of some GB£10 million to deliver the  various technical assistance programs and projects for 2018-2019 of the IMO. END

For more information, visit www.londonpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/philippinesusa and @philippinesinuk on Twitter