Regulatory guidelines to enhance the surveillance of sea tankers that are throwing waste into sea were approved during the 11th ASEAN ministers meeting on the environment in Singapore.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza, who attended the meeting, welcomed the move of the ASEAN as it will ensure proper waste disposal at sea.

“The guidelines call for a coordinated effort among the 10 ASEAN member countries to track the movement of ship tankers, and ensure the proper disposal of sludge at approved facilities to prevent water pollution by sea-going vessels,” Atienza said.

The guidelines provide for mandatory registration, inspection, and certification of ship tankers, desludging contractors, and disposal facilities. Violators faced detention and prosecution. Desludging is the process of removing sediments from a tank.

Atienza was elated by the measure, saying that “this will bolster government efforts to clean up Manila Bay and other coastal areas in the country.”

“The DENR will start consultations with the shipping industry on the implementation of the guidelines,” Atienza said.

The 10 ASEAN ministers discussed the increasing impact of climate change in the region, and agreed to create an ASEAN working group on climate change to promote closer and deeper cooperation and effective response to climate change concerns. (EHL)