Vol. 9, Issue No. 6 (June 2008)
PEMSEA News
EO 533: A Big Step Forward for ICM Implementation in the
Philippines
Manila, Philippines The Philippines has a long and rich experience in ICM. Since the first initiatives in
the late 1970s, ICM practice has significantly evolved to the integrated and multi-sectoral management
system that it is today. The benefits shown on the ground as a result of ICM implementation have spurred
further interest for ICM scaling up. The signing of Executive Order 533 by the President of the Philippines
on 6 June 2006, declaring ICM as the national strategy and policy framework for sustainable development
of the coastal and marine resources, is a major milestone in the history of ICM in the country.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Philippines has been
spearheading the development of a national ICM program in support of EO 533 implementation, in
consultation with relevant offices and bureaus of DENR at the national and sub-national levels. In
addition, other government agencies that are implementing or planning to implement donor-assisted ICM
projects have been engaged in the consultation process. A workshop was organized on 29-30 May, with
the participation of the Regional Technical Directors for Protected Areas and Wildlife and Coastal Zone
Management (PAWCZM) and representatives from various units of the DENR Central Office, including
the Manila Bay Coordinating Office, the River Basin Control Office, the Coastal and Marine
Management Office, the National Water Resources Board, the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau and
the Forest Management Bureau. The workshop reviewed existing ICM projects and initiatives, determined
areas of convergence, identified gaps, potential constraints and challenges, and discussed alternative
institutional arrangements in support of EO 533. The need for improved coordination was emphasized
with the recognition that, at present, there are more than $860 million in ICM-related projects being
implemented in the Philippines.
The key output of the workshop was a Resolution recommending the establishment of an interagency
National ICM Coordinating Committee. As a coordinating mechanism to implement the national ICM
program, the Committee would be responsible for ensuring harmonization of policy, capacity
development initiatives, and technical and resource assistance, across DENR and in collaboration with
other concerned agencies and local government units. It would also assist with the establishment of a
common monitoring and reporting system, in order to assess the progress and achievements of the scaling
up efforts, and to report such progress to the concerned stakeholders at the national and local levels. The
recommendation of the workshop is currently under review by the DENR.
PEMSEA, HP Philippines Extend EAS Congress 2009 Regional
Photo Contest
Manila, Philippines The deadline for submission of entries for the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress
2009 Regional Photo Contest has been extended to 28 February 2008. Open to nationals of the East Asian
region, three grand prizewinners (one from each category: Youth, Hobbyist, and Professional) will receive
complimentary registration to the EAS Congress 2009, with free roundtrip airfare, accommodation and
allowance. The complimentary registration includes free attendance to the EAS Congress events and
workshops, including conference kits/materials, field trip and select meals. Grand prizewinners will also
receive a printer from HP Philippines.
The theme "The Coast, The Ocean, My Community" emphasizes the importance of turning knowledge
and concern about the coastal and marine environment into on-the-ground actions. It aims to generate
awareness on local and national ocean-, coastal-, and environment-related initiatives of each country and
to increase participation of the communities in these activities.
Photographs must demonstrate local actions/implementation and good practices in sustainable coastal
and ocean protection, development and management. These can show local and national initiatives that
address: natural and man-made hazard prevention and management; habitat protection, restoration and
management; water use and supply management; food security and livelihood management; and pollution
reduction and waste management. There is no limit to the number of entries an entrant can submit.
Photos must be high-quality prints or digital files and can be in color or black & white. These should not
have been previously published, printed or sold commercially, displayed or won any prize or distinction in
another competition. Entries will be evaluated based on the following criteria: relevance to the theme,
composition/creativity and technical quality.
The contest will consist of two rounds of evaluation. The initial screening will be conducted by the
PEMSEA National Focal Points, who will choose the top 3 entries in their respective countries on 31
March. The country finalists will then move on to the final round of judging on 9 May and vie for the
grand prize.
Please go to http://www.pemsea.org/eascongress to download the contest mechanics and entry form or
email congress@pemsea.org for details.
Second EAS Partnership Council Meeting Held in Japan
Tokyo, Japan On 14-17 July, the East Asian Seas (EAS) Partnership Council held its second meeting in
Tokyo, Japan. Representatives from 22 Country and non-Country Partners as well as the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA), PEMSEA
Network of Local Governments implementing ICM (PNLG) and Thailand (country observer) attended
the Meeting. The Meeting was organized by the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) and co-organized by
the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) with the support of the Ocean Policy
Research Foundation (OPRF) of Japan.
The 2nd PC Meeting delved into several important issues, such as PEMSEA's legal personality,
GEF/UNDP/UNOPS Project on the Implementation of the SDS-SEA, the EAS Congress 2009,
subregional transboundary projects, and critical and emerging issues in the region. In addition, the future
direction of the Partnership mechanism and areas of focus in the implementation of the Sustainable
Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) were tabled.
During the Meeting, a new non-Country Partner, the International Center for the Environmental
Management of Enclosed Coastal Seas (EMECS), of Japan, was presented and its inclusion as a
PEMSEA Partner was made official with the signing ceremony of a Letter of Cooperation (LOC) between
PEMSEA and EMECS.
The Council meeting was followed by the PEMSEA/Japan Joint Seminar on Integrated Coastal
Management (ICM) in the Seas of East Asia on 18 July. The objective of this event was to share
knowledge and good practices in coastal and marine management and identify possible areas of
collaboration. In particular, the Seminar highlighted the PEMSEA ICM practices, including experiences
in Xiamen and Manila Bay. Japanese experts shared experiences on some of their projects related to
coastal rehabilitation and innovative technologies. Participants to the Seminar included representatives
from government agencies and universities in Japan, as well as members of the EAS Partnership Council.
The EAS Partnership Council is one of the four components of PEMSEA. Its main task is to provide
policy and operational guidance for, as well as steer, monitor and review the progress of, SDS-SEA
implementation. The Council is composed of the 11 Country Partners (Cambodia, China, DPR Korea,
Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Philippines, RO Korea, Singapore, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam) and 16 non-
Country Partners (Conservation International Philippines, Coastal Management Center, EMECS,
GEF/Small Grants Programme, IOC/WESTPAC, International Ocean Institute, Korea Environment
Institute, Korea Maritime Institute, Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute, Northwest Pacific
Action Plan, Ocean Policy Research Foundation of Japan, Oil Spill Response and East Asia Response
Limited, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Swedish Environment Secretariat for Asia, UNEP/GPA, and
UNDP/GEF Yellow Sea Project.
The Executive Committee of the Council is composed of Dr. Chua Thia-Eng (Council Chair); Dr. Li
Haiqing (Intergovernmental Session Chair); and Mr. Hiroshi Terashima (Technical Session Chair). The
Executive Director of the PRF, Prof. Raphael P.M. Lotilla, serves as Secretary of the Executive
Committee.
The First Partnership Council Meeting was held in Manado City, Indonesia in July 2007.
RO Korea Hosts Twinning Secretariat
Seoul, RO Korea The Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) and PEMSEA inaugurated the PEMSEA
Twinning Secretariat on 17 June 2008, at KMI in Seoul, RO Korea. The Twinning Secretariat is a
functional arm of PEMSEA with the responsibility of coordinating a knowledge-sharing and technical
cooperation network that is focused on integrated river basin and coastal area management. Existing
members of the twinning network include representatives from projects in the Bohai Sea, Manila Bay,
Gulf of Thailand, Jakarta Bay, and Masan-Chinhae Bay. The setting up of the Secretariat is part of RO
Korea's contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East
Asia (SDS-SEA), with financial support from the Korean government through the Ministry of Land,
Transport and Maritime Affairs (MLTM).
A Memorandum of Agreement was signed by PEMSEA, MLTM and KMI for the establishment of the
Twinning Secretariat. Prof. Raphael P.M. Lotilla, PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) Executive Director,
expressed his sincere gratitude to the RO Korean government, especially to KMI and MLTM for agreeing
to host and support the Secretariat. The MLTM, in consultation with the PRF, designated Dr. Jong-Deog
Kim of KMI as the interim head of the Secretariat.
The 2008 Twinning Workshop is tentatively scheduled to convene in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 21 23
October under the theme "Good Practices in Environmental Investments for the PEMSEA Integrated
River Basin and Coastal Area Management (IRBCAM) Network." The Workshop will feature three
sessions, namely: a) Advances in Ecosystem-based Management in Twinning Sites; b) Good Practices in
Environmental Investments in Pollution Reduction; and c) the 1st Network Meeting for Capacity
Enhancement.
As part of his Mission to Korea, Prof. Lotilla also met with officials from various agencies, including the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT), MLTM and the 2012 Yeosu EXPO Organizing
Committee to discuss PEMSEA's Legal Personality, the East Asian Seas Congress in 2009 and 2012, and
the East Asian Seas Partnership Council Meeting in July 2008.
Strategic Partnership Explores Investments in Pollution Reduction
Quezon City, Philippines An organizational workshop to discuss the Strategic Partnership arrangement
among the GEF, The World Bank, UNDP and PEMSEA was held at the PEMSEA Office Building on
24-26 June. The Strategic Partnership for the Sustainable Development of the Seas of East Asia is
designed to enhance pollution reduction initiatives in the East Asia Seas in support of the Sustainable
Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) Two GEF-supported projects, namely the
GEF/UNDP/UNOPS Project on the Implementation of the SDS-SEA, referred to as the regional
component of the Strategic Partnership, and the World Bank/GEF Partnership Investment Fund for
Pollution Reduction in the Large Marine Ecosystems of East Asia, referred to as the investment
component, are being implemented in parallel.
Representatives from the Global Environment Facility (Mr. Ivan Zavadsky), The World Bank (Dr. Tracy
Hart), United Nations Development Programme (Dr. Anna Tengberg) and the PEMSEA Resource
Facility (Prof. Raphael P.M. Lotilla, Mr. S. Adrian Ross and Ms. Maricor Ebarvia) convened to discuss a
management framework for operationalizing the Strategic Partnership arrangement.
Among the outputs of the workshop was a draft management framework for the Strategic Partnership
arrangement, a series of indicators for measuring the value-added contribution of the Strategic Partnership
to the implementation of the SDS-SEA, and work programme and budget for 2008-2011. The results of
the workshop were presented to the EAS Partnership Council Meeting, held in Tokyo, Japan on 14-17
July.
Puerto Galera Opens its Sewage Collection and Treatment System
Project to Build-Transfer Tendering
Oriental Mindoro, Philippines The Municipal Government of Puerto Galera, Province of Oriental
Mindoro, Philippines, invites interested participants to the Build-Transfer (BT) tendering of its Sewage
Collection and Treatment System (SCTS) Project. The project involves the financing, design, construction
and commissioning, though the BT scheme, of a sewage collection and treatment system in Barangay
Sabang, Puerto Galera.
PEMSEA is currently assisting the Municipality of Puerto Galera in the development and implementation
of the SCTS project in Barangay Sabang by applying the public-private partnership process (PPP). The
initiative is part of PEMSEA's activities to provide policy advice and technical assistance to local
governments in order to strengthen pollution reduction/waste management programs.
To view the details of the Invitation, interested investors and operating companies can go to the PEMSEA
website (http://www.pemsea.org). Further details on the Puerto Galera project may be accessed at the
PPP website.
Partner News
Plymouth Marine Laboratory Announces Chief Executive
Appointment
On behalf of the Plymouth Marine Laboratory Board of Trustees, PLM chairman Lord Kingsland
announces the appointment of Dr. Stephen de Mora as its new Chief Executive following an extensive
international recruitment campaign. Dr de Mora will take up his new appointment on 1 September 2008.
Dr. de Mora has extensive experience in environmental research and senior management, following a
career in the academe and international organizations, including roles as Head of the Oceanography
Department, University of Quebec, Canada and Laboratory Head, at the International Atomic Energy
Agency, Monaco.
Dr. de Mora has also established his own company, Aromed Environmental Consulting Services Inc,
based in Canada, and has worked as an expert for international projects such as the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).
Dr. de Mora's specific areas of scientific expertise include environmental chemistry, marine pollution
monitoring and assessment, biogeochemistry, aquatic chemistry and polar science.
The Plymouth Marine Laboratory is one of PEMSEA's 16 non-Country Partners for the implementation
of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia.
New Activities Set for NOWPAP Regional Activity Centers
Three NOWPAP Regional Activity Centers (DINRAC, MERRAC and POMRAC) held their Focal
Points Meetings in May and June (CEARAC held its Meeting in March). All four NOWPAP Regional
Activity Centers (RACs) have reviewed their progress and agreed on new projects for the 2008-2009
biennium.
In addition to continuing their routine tasks, NOWPAP RACs will implement the following activities:
1. Improve the Internet Communication System among NOWPAP members to provide relevant data
and information about marine environment quality in the region in order to serve as a clearing
house;
2. Carry out case studies on harmful algal blooms (HAB) in NOWPAP member states, develop HAB
integrated website and procedures for assessing coastal eutrophication, conduct second training
course on remote sensing data analysis;
3. Organize the 2nd NOWPAP Joint Oil Spill Exercise in Qingdao, PR China, in 2008 and a regional
workshop to share the experiences in the cleanup of the Hebei Spirit oil spill that occurred in
December 2007 in RO Korea);
4. Integrate Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) into the existing NOWPAP Regional Oil
Spill Contingency Plan, develop HNS response operations guidelines, training manual and
database;
5. Carry out activities related to Integrated Coastal and River Basin Management (ICARM) with
involvement of all NOWPAP RACs and in cooperation with partners such as PEMSEA, organize
a workshop during the 2009 East Asian Seas Congress; and
6. Implement the NOWPAP Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI).
For more information on NOWPAP and its RACs, visit www.nowpap.org.