The co-directors of the Philippines-Indonesia-Japan integrated oil spill response teams jointly declared the four-day Marine Pollution Exercise (MARPOLEX) in Bacolod City open on Tuesday morning, June 25.
The cooperation of the three nations is vital to protecting and preserving the marine environment, and ensuring a stable economy, they said.
The joint declaration was signed by Coast Guard Vice Admiral Roy Echeverria of the Philippines, Rear Admiral Jon Kenedi of Indonesia and Rear Admiral Kanosue Hiroaki of Japan at a ceremony held at Acacia Hotel near the BREDCO port in Bacolod City where their vessels are docked.
Assistant Secretary Julius Yano of the Department of Transportation, who was the guest speaker at the opening rites, said “As we continue to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and build strong partnerships through this regional marine pollution exercise, let us embrace this great opportunity to learn first-hand”.
The preservation of our marine resources is synonymous with economic vibrancy as oil spills could be very devastating and could cause an area years to recover, Echeverria, who heads the Philippine delegation, said.
Hiroaki, head of the Japanese delegation, said securing the safety of the sea is very critical for stable economic activities.
Workshops, exercises and training jointly attended by some Association of Southeast Asian countries, “further strengthen and develop our capacity-building in terms of oil spill control,” he said.
Kenedi, head of the Indonesian delegation, said in Indonesia protection of maritime environment is a common duty.
MARPOLEX is important “because all of us share the same responsibility in protecting our maritime environment,” Kenedi said.
Echeverria assured that the MARPOLEX will not delay commercial sea travel or affect fishermen in Bacolod waters as the designated area for its activities this week is not in their path.*