Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

REPRESEN
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6409
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Hon. Salvador B. Belaro Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

International maritime and shipping issues are increasingly more
complex, technical, and far-reaching in impact to the national economy, the
Filipino seafarers and the overall administration of maritime affairs as a result
of the worldwide maritime trend towards efficiency and the protection of the
environment.

In addition, the maritime sector is a key component of the national
economy that will require further measures to enhance the skills of the Filipino
seafarers, improve the competitiveness of the Philippine flag in the global
merchant shipping industry and strengthen the maritime administrative structure

of the count

Hence, the government should recognize the need for technical assistance
and support for the development of the maritime and shipping industry
especially in creating a pool of maritime law experts, considering the fact that
the Philippines is among the world’s largest supplier of manpower for the

international maritime fleet, both for officers and seafarers, including
international cruise liners as the Filipino seafarers are considered the “preferred
seafarers of choice” of international manning principals.


The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized agency
of the United Nations, is the global standard-setting authority for the safety,
security and environmental performance of international shipping, which plays
a significant role in the development of the Philippine maritime industry.

The Philippines is a Party to the IMO Convention as well as to the
conventions establishing the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds
(IOPFC) and International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO), whose work
is related to IMO.

Hence, there is also a recognized and compelling need to further
strengthen the country’s links with the IMO, IOPCF and IMSO in support of the
government’s economic and social agenda.

A~ ee

ATTY. SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
Representative
1-Ang Edukasyon Party List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 6409

Introduced by: Hon. Salvador B. Belaro Jr.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE PERMANENT MISSION TO THE
INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION AND RELATED
INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (PM-IMO)
IN LONDON, UK

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Permanent Philippine Mission to
the International Maritime Organization Act of 2017”.

SECTION 2. A coherent and effective maritime and shipping policy is a key
enabler and promoter of national development, and should aim to create
opportunities for sustainable economic growth and higher living standards for
Filipinos, especially for Filipino seafarers in accordance with the national
interest and efforts towards an inclusive economic growth of the country.

SECTION 3. There is hereby established and created a Permanent Mission of
the Republic of the Philippines to the International Maritime Organization and


Related Inter-Governmental Organizations, based in London, United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

SECTION 4. The Mission henceforth shall be considered a distinct diplomatic
mission and post of the Republic of the Philippines responsible for leading
Philippine representation and promoting maritime and shipping interests in the
IMO, IOPCF and IMSO.

SECTION 5S. The initial appropriations necessary to achieve the objectives of
this Order shall be drawn from existing appropriations of the Department of
Foreign Affairs and supplemented by other approved sources. Succeeding
appropriations shall be incorporated in the annual budget proposals of the
Department of Foreign Affairs beginning 2018 and, where appropriate, in the
budget proposals of the Department of Transportations, MARINA, PCG and
PPA.

SECTION 6. If any provision hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the
remainder of the law or provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and
subsisting.

SECTION 7. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved.