THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conducted the 2nd public consultation and final consultation on the revised draft and proposed Memorandum Circulars on MC 01-05 (Revised Rules on Prevention, Containment, Abatement and Control of Oil Marine Pollution) and proposed MC on the Rules for the Accreditation of Oil Spill Response Organizations (OSRO) in Intramuros, Manila, yesterday, 14 May 2025.
The said undertaking was pursued in compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the PCG to initiate innovative means of advancing its maritime environmental protection efforts.
Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Marine Environmental Protection (CG-9), Commodore May Marfil PCG, led the said activity and gathered a broad range of maritime stakeholders, including representatives from maritime shipping companies, accredited Oil Spill Response Organizations (OSRO) and key national agencies.
Marine Environmental Protection Command (MEPCOM), Prominent government institutions such as the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) also attended the said activity. Their active engagement and insightful contributions provided clarity on several provisions, facilitating the alignment of the proposed regulations with both national policies and international maritime environmental standards.
The consultation aimed to harmonize stakeholders’ perspective and strengthen collaboration in enhancing the country’s readiness and capacity to prevent and respond to marine oil pollution incidents. It reflects the PCG’s ongoing commitment to protecting marine and coastal environments through sound regulatory frameworks and inclusive policy development.
The PCG will continue to hold a series of consultative meetings to further refine and finalize the draft circulars. This collaborative approach ensures that the regulations are practical, comprehensive, and responsive to the needs of both industry and government in safeguarding Philippines maritime jurisdiction.
Editor’s Note: This article has been sourced from the Philippine Coast Guard Facebook Page.
