Australia assists RP’s port and maritime security efforts

The Australian Embassy underscored the Philippines’ need to sustain its port and maritime security following the culmination of the five-year Philippines-Australia Port Security Capacity Building Project (PAPSCBP) pegged at more than A$4 million.

Australian Ambassador Rod Smith expressed hope that port and maritime security in the Philippines will be sustained, adding that it requires funding and organizational security.

“We hope (port and maritime) security in the Philippines remain at high standards,” he said.

“As a trading nation and the world’s second largest archipelagic nation… it is strategically important for maritime security in the Philippines,” he added.

The Philippines and Australia culminated Friday the PAPSCBP at the Renaissance Hotel in Makati City, which strengthens the Philippines’ capacity to develop port and maritime security, particularly against terrorism threats.

The project, which started in June 2004, is part of the A$10-million Counter-Terrorism Assistance Package of the Australian government to the Philippines.

Sea Transportation and Maritime Infrastructure Security Bureau assistant administrator Commodore Isidro Banaria, in a presentation, said the project’s first phase was funded at A$1.47 million from June 2004 to February 2006. Its second phase, from March 2006 to October 2007, was given a A$2 million budget. The project was extended from November 2007 to December 2008 with a A$1 million budget, with further extension up to June 2009.

The project included the establishment of a national maritime security framework that is compliant with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS), as well as port facilities and security plans.

The project also facilitated the provision of seminars and workshops to members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and shipping companies, among others.

Banaria said that as of June 15 this year, the number of international and domestic ships already compliant with the required security measures have reached 345 Philippine registered ships, 165 of which are international ships and 180 domestic ships while international port facilities compliant with required security measures have reached 137, of which 112 are international ports and 25 are domestic ports.

(Source: Manila Bluetin Corporation)