TDT | manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Forty Filipino community leaders participated in a forum on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, hosted by the Philippine Embassy at its grounds on September 16. The event was part of the annual Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month commemoration with the theme “Our Seas, Our Livelihoods, Our Source of Life: A Pan-National Approach to Raising Maritime and Ocean Awareness”. “. Chargé d’Affaires Anne Jalando-on Louis said the forum aims to promote awareness of the protection of the marine environment and the management of marine resources.
“As an archipelagic country, the Philippines is endowed with rich marine biodiversity and a maritime environment. While raising awareness of maritime issues and concerns, Filipino Overseas Workers (OFW) can find time to inspire other Filipinos to fulfill their potential to achieve great things,” she said. Louis also expressed his gratitude to community leaders for sharing their time by participating in the forum.
Meanwhile, Vice Consul Blitz B. Sumagaysay presented notable facts and figures about the Philippines as a maritime nation. He explained the relevant information on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of 1982, which provides a general normative framework for the regulation of ocean space.
Mary Jane Montemor, Senior GIS Engineer in Bahrain and formerly with the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), presented an interactive map on maritime boundaries such as territorial waters, lines of base, territorial waters, contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.
In his closing remarks, Captain Francis C. Cacho, Senior National Representative of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFPSNR) to the Combined Maritime Forces of the Kingdom of Bahrain, shared his views and experiences in maintaining the environmental and ecological integrity.
“May this event strengthen our understanding of maritime issues,” Captain Cacho reminded the participants. Present at the discussion was the labor attaché, Atty. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Welfare Officer Vic Cabe, Redina Manlapaz and Philippine Embassy staff. Copies of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy (OPCD) reading material were distributed to participants.
