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The Philippine Coast Guard and the Office for Transportation Security signed an agreement on enforcement of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code
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The agreement establishes a cooperative framework between the two agencies to enhance maritime security and law enforcement initiatives
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Under the agreement, the PCG will enforce control and compliance measures under the ISPS Code to secure ships docking or planning to call at Philippine ports
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The PCG and OTS also agreed to conduct joint training and capacity-building initiatives
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) have signed a memorandum of agreement on enforcement of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
The ISPS Code “is a comprehensive set of measures to enhance the security of ships and port facilities, developed in response to the perceived threats to ships and port facilities in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in the United States,” the International Maritime Organization said on its website.
The MOA establishes a cooperative framework to enhance maritime security and law enforcement initiatives, with the PCG and OTS also agreeing to conduct joint training and capacity-building initiatives.
Under the agreement, the PCG shall enforce control and compliance measures in line with the ISPS Code to safeguard ships docked at or entering Philippine ports.
The MOA will enhance collaboration, communication, coordination, and intelligence sharing to prevent, predict, and interdict all form of security threats to ports and vessels, according to PCG.
PCG and OTS will cooperate in incident reporting, joint investigation and operations, ensuring maritime transport security, as well as adhering to provisions of Executive Order No. 197 and the National Security Program for Sea Transport and Maritime Infrastructure, the PCG said in a statement. The EO identifies authorities responsible for sea transport and maritime infrastructure.
The agreement focuses on challenges in maritime security, such as current gaps in security measures and the current manpower requirement of OTS.
The MOA was finalized during a courtesy visit of OTS administrator Undersecretary Crisaldo Nieves to PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan on October 15.
Under the ISPS Code, the PCG is tasked with:
- Ensuring all security personnel comply with security standards
- Verifying all Recognized Security Organizations adhere to ISPS Code provisions, and
- Ensuring maritime industry security guards receive necessary training and certification growth, innovation, and an integrated approach to maritime security.”
Nieves said the partnership enhances the country’s overall maritime domain safety and security.
“This partnership embodies our collective aspiration to bolster maritime security across our vast archipelago,” Nieves added.
