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The Philippines is getting ready for the International Maritime Organization Member State Audit Scheme in October 2023
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The Maritime Industry Authority recently held a two-day inter-agency “writeshop” on reviewing and finalizing the country’s pre-audit questionnaire and additional pre-audit information
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The writeshop also focused on updating key performance indicators set by the Philippine Maritime Strategy on the Implementation and Enforcement of Relevant IMO Instruments for 2020-2024
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IMO moved the IMSAS audits scheduled for 2020 and 2021 to 2022 and 2023 due to the pandemic
The Philippines is gearing up for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) in October 2023.
IMSAS is a mandatory audit under the IMO Instruments of Implementation Code (III Code) to determine how extensive a country implements and enforces its functions under maritime instruments as a flag, port, and coastal state.
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) recently conducted a two-day inter-agency “writeshop” focused on reviewing and finalizing the country’s pre-audit questionnaire (PAQ) and additional pre-audit information (PAI).
The writeshop also focused on updating the key performance indicators as set by the Philippine Maritime Strategy on the Implementation and Enforcement of Relevant IMO Instruments for 2020-2024.
The PAQ and PAI are considered as an IMO member state’s initial response to preliminary questions for IMSAS, as these documents will form part of the audit team’s strategic planning before subjecting the country to external scrutiny, MARINA said in a statement.
The Philippine Maritime Strategy, on the other hand, aims to enhance and ensure full compliance with the country’s international obligations and responsibilities as a member of the IMO.
“Through this writeshop, I hope we will be able to have a unified effort in ensuring that the Philippine maritime industry adheres to the highest standards and complies with international maritime commitments to sustain an efficient, and robust maritime industry,” said Transportation Assistant Secretary for Maritime Julius Yano, who is also IMSAS technical working group chairperson.
Representatives from the Department of Transportation, MARINA, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority, Cebu Port Authority, National Telecommunications Commission, National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration participated in the writeshop.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, IMO moved the IMSAS audits scheduled for 2020 and 2021 to 2022 and 2023.
The audit will set out to determine how well the Philippines, as a member state of the IMO and its Council, gives full and complete effect to its obligations and responsibilities contained in a number of IMO treaty instruments.
In 2019, an inter-agency council in preparation for the IMSAS was created to check the Philippines’ compliance with and implementation of IMO agreements. An IMSAS Interagency Council was also created in 2018 to ensure that the Philippines meets its obligations and responsibilities as an IMO member state in relation to IMSAS.
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