Undersecretary Cecilio R. Penilla, head of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS), said the "Seminar-Workshop on Guidance to Review, Assessment, Verification, and Approval of Port Facility Security Assessment and Plans," held last June 17-19 at the PPA Training Center, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, was jointly led by the Office for Transportation Security (OTS), Department of Transportation and Regional Services (DOTARS) of Australia, and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

The seminar-workshop, attended by 53 officials from the OTS, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), sought to develop the expertise of the participants with SOLAS Chapter XI – 2 and the ISPS Code and ensure understanding of the guidance on how to review, assess, verify, approve, issue Statement of Compliance with Port Facility (SCPF) Certificates, and audit ports with Port Facility Security Assessment (PFSA) and Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP).

Penilla said the OTS is glad as all participants met the seminar-workshop’s expectations. The participants now have the necessary knowledge of the conduct of review, assessment, verification, approval issuance of SCPF, and audit of ports with security assessments and plans.

The participants, as well, have now the full knowledge of the ISPS Code and SOLAS Chapter XI – 2, maritime transport security, and OTS organization and mandate.

The ISPS Code of the International Maritime Organization was adopted to prevent and suppress terrorism and other unlawful acts that may affect the safety and security of shipping and port operations, as the world’s maritime industry has become a major threat to terrorist attack. All contracting governments are mandated to be compliant with the Code by July 1.

Penilla said DOTC Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza issued three department orders— directing the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to assist the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) with respect to ISPS implementation and instructing 20 PCG, 11 PPA, and 10 MARINA Officers to report to the OTS for training and guidance. These are Department Order Nos. 2004- 31, 2004-32, 2004 -33.

Penilla also announced that the OTS has organized ten teams to undertake on-site verification of 60 ports throughout the country.

Penilla added that based on the latest report of the MARINA to OTS, the status of ISPS code compliance on Philippine- registered ships engaged in international voyage is:

of the 166 Philippine- registered ships engaged in international voyages, 96 percent or 160 ships have security plans submitted to different recognized security organizations.

A total of 112 ships or 67 percent have been issued international ships’ security certificates.

On ports, there are 65 ports that have submitted their Port Facility Security Assessments (PFSA) and Port Facility Security Plans (PFSP). These ports are covered by the PPA, Cebu Ports Authority (CPA), while the rest are private ports servicing international ships.

Penilla said ‘we are making substantial progress in strengthening maritime security. The private sector and the government must continue working closely together to ensure the country’s compliance with the ISPS Code.