Senates adopts resolution to establish center for coastal, ocean management

The Senate adopted a resolution concurring in the ratification of the agreement between the Philippines and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) to establish a PEMSEA Resource Facility Center in the Philippines.

Senate Resolution No. 1332 was sponsored by Senator Pia Cayetano for Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said the measure was part of the Senate's expression of support to international collaboration in resolving trans-boundary ocean issues within the East Asian region, especially regarding environmental issues and concerns.

The agreement establishes the principal office of PEMSEA in country and grants privileges, immunities, and facilities to the PEMSEA's principal office, officials, staff, and consultants, to ensure the effective operation of the PEMSEA Resource Facility, the resolution also said.

According to the resolution, the PEMSEA facility center will undertake work and projects on coastal and ocean governance; natural and man-made hazard prevention and management; habitat protection, restoration and management; water use and supply management; pollution and waste reduction management as well as food security and livelihood management.

PEMSEA is a multilateral and multi-sectoral organization with 12 countries and 19 non-country partners that serves as a regional coordinating mechanism for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia.

Meanwhile, the Senate also approved Resolution 1331concurring in the accession to the Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Under the protocol, member states shall take legislative, administrative or policy measures, as appropriate, with the aim of ensuring that the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources, that are held by indigenous and local communities are shared in a fair and equitable way with the communities concerned.

The protocol enables biodiversity to ultimately contribute to development by providing incentives and rewards to promote the sustainable use of genetic resources and benefit-sharing when these resources are accessed and used. (Yvonne Almirañez)