Philippines commits as major international hub for crew change

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines, through the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), on Thursday committed itself to becoming a major international hub for crew change before the 39th Meeting of the Maritime Transport Working Group of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its Dialogue Partners such as China, Japan, Korea and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This is the first time that the meeting was held virtually amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

MARINA Administrator Robert A Empedrad, who headed the Philippine Delegation, said that the Philippines as a responsible member of the international maritime community continues to cooperate with Member States for the facilitation and safe movement of the world’s seafarers noting their importance in the stability of the global seaborne trade. As a major provider of seafarers to the global labor market, he further mentioned that the Philippines has already opened the Ports of Manila, Bataan and Subic for international crew change and that the country is looking forward to the opening of its other international ports for this purpose.

“Given that seafarers play a crucial role in local and global maritime community, the welfare of these key workers should be of prime importance. As such, our maritime sector is working diligently to activate crew change hubs in the country to give maritime vessels the avenue to refresh their manpower, and to provide relief to our hardworking seafarers,” Empedrad said.

“They are the lifeline of the world’s economy as such they are our essential workers. In the Philippines, our seafarers are our indispensable partners for our country’s economic development."

Philippines’ Maritime Initiatives amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

At this meeting, Administrator Empedrad assured that the Philippines continues to exert its utmost effort to keep the maritime industry afloat through a “whole-of-government approach” amidst the pandemic.

At this unprecedented time, he ensured that the supply chains, including the maritime sector in the Philippines, remain operational with the implementation of several measures such as the: 1) use of automated systems to lessen face-to-face transactions; 2) creation of a Shipping Protection Office, which protects both domestic and international shippers against unreasonable fees and charges imposed by the shipping lines; 3) decongestion of ports; 4) issuance of directive for all domestic shipping lines to provide cargo space and allocation for agricultural and food products, and providing preferential cargo rates; and 5) extension of STCW certificates for seafarers that are still on board ships.

Philippines’ Initiatives on the Implementation of Maritime Transport-Related Measures Under Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Plan (KLTSP)

The Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Plan (KLTSP) 2016-2025 is a 10-year masterplan for the ASEAN transport sector, which aims to enhance regional economic integration.

One of the projects under the KLTSP is the ASEAN Single Shipping Market (ASSM). Administrator Empedrad provided updates on the progress of the Pilot Project regarding the operationalization of ASSM, and coordination efforts to support the sustainability of Davao-General Santos-Bitung route Ro-Ro operation. The ASSM aims to improve the region’s logistics performance and international competitiveness.

Aside from ASSM, the Philippines conveyed its support and participation in the succeeding phase of the “Advanced Personnel Training Program for Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)” project as its ports acquire more VTS facilities and equipment to improve the delivery of service to stakeholders. The VTS refers to the marine traffic monitoring system established by harbour or port authorities.

Further, Administrator Empedrad also conveyed the country's support to the ASEAN’s proposed project relating to the “Conduct of a package of ASEAN-China Maritime Transport Studies”. The said study aims at maximizing the potential of maritime trade between the ASEAN region and China through the assessment of economic benefits of the shipping network, and identification of possible cooperation areas.

This Year’s First ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group (MTWG)

The 39th ASEAN MTWG meeting aims to provide updates on the status and implementation of the measures and strategic actions on maritime related programs, projects and activities under the KLTSP 2016-2025.

The said meeting was attended by the ASEAN Member States delegates from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and the Philippines. It is likewise participated by the dialogue partners from Japan, China, Republic of Korea and International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The ASEAN MTWG Meetings are being conducted twice a year to monitor the progress in the implementation of the KLTSP (2016-2025) and to discuss various ASEAN transport-related initiatives.

19 New Whale Sharks Identified in Donsol Throughout 2020

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The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines has identified 19 new individual whale sharks in the waters of Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape (TBPPS) since the start of 2020.

Nestled between the provinces of Masbate, Sorsogon and Albay, the TBPPS is a critical ecosystem that is home to numerous endangered marine species, including the whale shark. The area is rich in marine biodiversity – but development work in the surrounding provinces poses a threat to local ecosystems.

The conservation organization also reports 50 returning individuals, for a total of 69 unique whale sharks spotted since the start of the year. This makes for a total of 733 whale sharks documented in the region since monitoring began in 2007.

The whale sharks were identified as part of WWF-Philippines’ ongoing effort to protect the TBPPS ecosystem. WWF-Philippines has operated sustainable tourism activities in the region since 1998, in a tripartite partnership with the LGU of Donsol and the Department of Tourism Region 5. Whale shark populations have risen since then, and the municipality of Donsol has developed into a third-class municipality.

Tourism activity in the TBPPS remains on hold under ongoing lockdown measures. Despite this, however, WWF-Philippines maintains its daily whale shark monitoring operations.

“It’s important that we continue our whale shark monitoring efforts despite the lockdown. It’s our obligation as WWF-Philippines to continue monitoring activities, and to let the world know of the whale sharks of Donsol and their importance to their ecosystem,” said WWF-Philippines Donsol Project Manager Jun E. Narvadez. The International Union for Conservation of Nature, or IUCN, currently lists the whale shark as endangered.

“Our Butanding Interaction Officers, our spotters, they all help us monitor the whale sharks. This is a community effort that helps both the whale sharks and the people of Donsol. Hopefully by November, we’ll be able to restart our tourism activities again,” added Narvadez.

WWF-Philippines has continued to provide support to the community of Donsol throughout the current pandemic. With your help, we can continue to #ChangeTheEnding for our whale sharks.

Cover photo: A whale shark in Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape, or TBPPS, off the coast of Donsol, Sorsogon. 19 new individuals were sighted in the area throughout 2020. Photograph © WWF-Philippines

19 new individuals and 50 returning whale sharks were identified in the Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape, or TBPPS, throughout 2020. Photograph © WWF-Philippines

Whale shark individuals are identified by the pattern of their spots. Each whale shark possesses a pattern that is unique to them, making them easy to differentiate. Photograph © WWF-Philippines

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe set to resign for health reasons

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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest continuously serving prime minister, after taking office in 2012, is set to resign for health reasons.

Two hospital visits in one week sparked questions about whether Mr Abe's health was deteriorating.

He had been due to serve until September 2021. He has not revealed what the visits were for but one is reported to have lasted nearly eight hours.

He has suffered from the disease ulcerative colitis for many years but his condition is thought to have worsened recently.

In 2007 he resigned abruptly from an earlier term as prime minister because of his struggles with ulcerative colitis, a chronic condition affecting the large intestine, that he has lived with since he was a teenager.

Officials from his governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have previously dismissed speculation that he would step down, saying the prime minister's health is fine.

On Tuesday one of his aides told Reuters that he thought Mr Abe would fulfil his tenure.

Akira Amari, head of the LDP's tax panel, dismissed the suggestion that the prime minister would dissolve parliament's lower house for a snap general election soon.

"There won't be a snap election for the time being," he said.

Still, rumours have persisted about Mr Abe's growing fatigue as he fields growing scrutiny for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, at a time when approval ratings for his cabinet have dropped.

Under Japanese law, an acting prime minister would step in temporarily if Mr Abe were unable to perform his role, with no limits on how long they can stay in post.

Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who is also finance minister, is first in line, followed by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

An acting prime minister cannot call a snap election but they lead on other matters such as treaties and budgets until a new party leader and premier is chosen.

A resignation or an announced intention to resign would trigger a vote within Mr Abe's LDP to replace him as president.

This election would be followed by a parliamentary vote to elect a new prime minister.

The winner would hold the post until the end of Mr Abe's term in September 2021.