Considering the important role of transportation in the movement of goods and people, the Philippines expressed its commitment to make the country’s transport system at par with the international fora during the 43rd ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group (MTWG) Meeting held in Nha Trang, Viet Nam from 20 to 22 September 2022.

In the said meeting, the Philippine delegation, headed by Engr. Enrico C. Ferre of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), highlighted the country’s intention to advance and improve its transportation performance while ensuring safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

“Under the new leadership of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), together with the whole maritime sector, the Philippines is committed to transform our transport system and elevate it to global standards, as well as enhance maritime connectivity and mobility, including better port access, to deliver safe, comfortable, accessible, and efficient transport,” Engr. Ferre said.

Meanwhile, as the Marine Environment Protection of the South East Asian Seas (MEPSEAS) is about to end in December 2022, the Philippines, as one of the Lead Partnering Countries (LPC) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) as its National Focal Point (NFP), took the opportunity to thank the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for assisting the country in addressing marine environment issues relative to shipping through the implementation of IMO Conventions, particularly the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships (AFS Convention) and The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water And Sediments (BWM Convention).

Further, during the plenary session, the Philippine delegation likewise underscored that the MEPSEAS 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 implementation of conventions related to marine environment protection in the South East Asian region.

Aside from the MEPSEAS Project, the Philippine delegation also conveyed that the Philippines will continue its collaboration with the IMO on various marine environmental projects and initiatives for safe and greener shipping.
Moreover, the Philippines also provided updates regarding the national coordination mechanism and national master plan for port, national development plan on the capacity improvement of the ASEAN network ports, sustainability of Davao-General Santos-Bitung route RO-RO operation, Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) management, and ASEAN-China Maritime Transport Studies.

The Philippine delegation is composed of representatives from the DOTr, MARINA, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

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The 43rd ASEAN MTWG Meeting is the first physical meeting of the ASEAN MTWG, two (2) years after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It aims to discuss the following: a) the decisions made during the ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting (STOM) held in June 2022; b) progress of implementation of maritime-transport related measures under the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Plan (KLTSP); c) COVID-19-related initiatives; d) MTWG’s work plan; e) cooperation with transport-affiliated private sector organizations and dialogue partners, f) ASEAN’s partnership with the IMO; and g) other emerging issues relating to maritime transport.

The said meeting was attended by the ASEAN Member States delegates from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. It is likewise participated by representatives from the ASEAN transport-affiliated private sector organizations and dialogue partners from Japan, China, Republic of Korea, United States, European Union (EU), India, and International Maritime Organization (IMO).

More photos here.

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