DILG

Marine Environment, Maritime Law, National Affairs 25-Jan-2022

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE for CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION in the Indo-Pacific/Indochina-Pacific Maritime Region

Phase 1 (4 years) – A Pacific Ocean marine corridor in central Philippines         Background. Phase 1 of the Programme spotlights a Pacific Ocean corridor in central Philippines serves as the initial focus for the wider Indo-Pacific/Indochina-Pacific 3/ maritime region that is critical to global health and security. This large sea area as designated is comprised of interconnected enclosed-semi-enclosed seas…

Maritime Security, National Affairs 24-May-2019

Joint Law Enforcement Operation Confiscates Illegal Drugs and Firearms

In Calarian, Zamboanga City, a Joint Law Enforcement Operation resulted to the confiscation of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (Shabu), and recovery of Firearms in Barangay Tenan, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay on 13-March 13-2019. The Joint Law Enforcement Troops were composed of: Naval Intelligence Support Unit – 63, Naval Intelligence and Security Group-Western Mindanao (NISG-WM); Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB); Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit Zamboanga…

Marine Environment, National Affairs 15-Mar-2019

Manila Bay Rehabilitation Campaign: A Test of Political Will

The Philippine government launched early this year a coastal and marine environmental campaign to clean up, rehabilitate and preserve Manila Bay. Dubbed “Battle for Manila Bay,” the move is in compliance with a Supreme Court decision. It also tests the political will of the government. Clearly, this noble task is aligned with Section 16 of the Constitution, to wit: “The…

Defense, Maritime Law, National Affairs 25-Jan-2019

Strengthening Our Hydrographic Office to Secure Our Future

This year is a milestone year for the global hydrographic community. 100 years ago or in June 1919, the 1st International Hydrographic Conference was held in London. It marks the beginning towards the creation of an international bureau for hydrography. Today, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) is the authoritative worldwide hydrographic body which actively engages all coastal and interested States…

Maritime Law, National Affairs 25-Jan-2019

Federalism in Canada: An Observation

I have been going back and forth to Canada for the last 10 years visiting my son’s family, staying in for six to eight months and I have observed and read about how a federal government works. Canada is located on the northern boundary of the of United States which lies in the south of Canada, and extends to the…

Chairman's Page, Marine Environment, Waterfront Development 27-Jul-2018

Can the Laguna Lake Spillway Be Done?

Very early on Wednesday, 18 July, while enroute from Dasmariñas City to my office in Makati, I was mentally debating what specific topic I would address for this issue of the Review. Three major issues our Advocates for National Interests (ANI) group would like to delve on initially are: (1) the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), (2) the West Philippine Sea…

Marine Environment 22-Nov-2017

Operational Plan for The Manila Bay Coastal Strategy: Implementing the Supreme Court Order to Cleanup, Rehabilitate and Preserve Manila Bay

The Supreme Court rendered a decision on 18 December 2008 ordering 13 government agencies, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to clean up, rehabilitate, and preserve Manila Bay, and restore and maintain its waters to SB level to make them fit for swimming, skin-diving, and other forms of contact recreation. The case stemmed from a complaint filed…

Defense, Maritime Security 12-Jul-2016

Philippine Defense Procurement: Issues and Prospects

The defense of the Philippines from both internal and external threats is the principal business of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). To enable the AFP to fully perform its mandate, it should possess affordable war fighting capabilities that can also be used for operations other than war (OOTW) like counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, search and rescue,…