For three consecutive years, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) hosted the Marine Environment Protection Forum (MEPF) in Pasay City last 06 September 2023. The said Conference is one of the major features of the first-ever Blue Economy Annual Trade and Conference (BEACON 2023) which runs from 6-8 September 2023 held at the same Convention Center.
The 3rd MEPF is an interactive conference which focuses on two topics related to marine environment protection particularly marine plastic litter reduction and greenhouse gas emissions especially decarbonization of ships.
In her opening remarks, MARINA Deputy Administrator for Operations Engr. Nannette Villamor-Dinopol shared about the joint projects of MARINA and World Wide Fund for Nature – Philippines on marine plastic litter reduction, including the back-to-back fora on Port and Ship Waste Management in Pasay City last June 2023 and the Launching of the Four-Minute Video on Marine Plastic Litter onboard two ships in Port of Batangas last July 2023 in accordance to MARINA Advisory No. 2023 – 11 or the “Guidelines on the Implementation for the Airing of the Four (4) – Minute Video on Marine Plastic Litter for Passenger Vessels.”
She emphasized that the 3rd MEPF expands its discussion this year as the Philippines expressed its support to the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG emissions from Ships, with enhanced targets to tackle harmful emissions. The 2023 IMO strategy was officially adopted during the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 80 Session. One of the levels of ambition set to attain the said IMO strategy is to peak GHG emissions from international shipping as soon as possible, and to reach net-zero GHG emissions by or around year 2050, taking into account different national circumstances.
Assistant Secretary for Maritime Atty. Julius Yano reiterates that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) strongly supports the internal creation of Marine Environment Protection Development Service (MEPDS) of the MARINA. He also believes that BEACON 2023 will feature different opportunities particularly in improving livelihood, creation of more jobs and increasing awareness on how to enhance the current situation of the Philippine Maritime Industry.
The 3rd MEPF also features the updates on Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) 2028 particularly on “Overriding Program on Promotion of Environmentally Sustainable Maritime Industry” that was presented by Shipyards Regulation Service (SRS) and MEPDS Director Engr. Ramon Hernandez. Meanwhile, Philippine Marine Environment Protection Association, Inc. President Ms. Rochelle Reyes presented their current plans and programs.
Among the resource speakers on the Philippine Efforts in the Marine Plastic Litter Reduction are WWF-Philippines Policy Manager Ms. Liezel del Rosario; DENR Planning, Policy and Program Development Division Chief Ms. Consolacion Crisostomo; PPA Port Operations and Services Dep’t Safety Specialist Mr. Aechylus Grekxy Acob and PCG Marine Environmental Protection Offshore Patrol Commander Capt. Patrick Babag.
The resource speakers on the Future of Greener Shipping – Maritime Decarbonization are MARINA-SRS Senior SOS Engr. Jeremiah Perez; DOE Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino; Climate Change Commission Implementation Oversight Division Development Management Officer Mr. Paul Ezekiel Losaria; DOST-PCIEERD Deputy Executive Director Engr. Niñaliza Escorial and Jotun Paints Regional Category Manager Mr. Ryan Lee.
During the event, the MARINA also conducted two rounds of open forum with the resource speakers and participants which led to productive discussions on innovative technical and economic solutions towards a greener and safer maritime industry in the country.
In her closing remarks, MARINA Deputy Administrator for Planning Ms. Sonia Malaluan encouraged other government agencies and private sector to support the plans of MARINA in developing and implementing projects and initiatives transitioning to green maritime Philippines.