Resolution Concurring in Ratification of Agreement between Philippines and International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management

March 6, 2012

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 079-12

RESOLUTION CONCURRING IN THE RATIFICATION OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR LIVING AQUATIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (ICLARM) TO ESTABLISH AN OFFICE OF THE WORLDFISH CENTER IN THE PHILIPPINES

WHEREAS, the Constitution, Article VII, Section 21, states that, "No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate"; AcICHD

WHEREAS, the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM) to establish an Office of the WorldFish Center in the Philippines was signed on 22 April 2008 at Pasay City;

WHEREAS, the Agreement provides for the establishment of the WorldFish Center Office in the Philippines to undertake activities for research and development of aquatic and maritime resources in the Philippines and nearby regions; enter into contracts; acquire and dispose of its properties; receive gifts and donations; hold funds; and conduct research, training and other programs in accordance with its mandate;

WHEREAS, the establishment of the Center has tremendous potential for the Philippines meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on poverty reduction and hunger elimination with its projects focused on small-scale fisheries practice and aquaculture that will contribute to improving nutrition and raising incomes in rural areas, as well as enhance biodiversity information systems that will provide the scientific basis for projects involving natural resources management and aquaculture; and environmental conservation which is considered as key to fighting poverty, food security and overall economic development;

WHEREAS, under the Agreement, the office shall enjoy the immunities and privileges accorded to an international organization of a universal character such as immunity from penal, civil and administrative proceedings and exemption from customs, visa and immigration requirements;

WHEREAS, Article VIII, Section 38 of the Agreement provides that it shall enter into force on the date that the Government notifies the center, through diplomatic channels, that the Government has complied with its internal requirements for such entry into force;

WHEREAS, the President of the Philippines has ratified the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM) to establish an Office of the WorldFish Center in the Philippines, and has accordingly submitted it to the Senate for concurrence; TcDaSI

WHEREAS, in the hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on 2 February 2012, the following government agencies and nongovernment organizations endorsed the concurrence in the ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM) to establish an Office of the WorldFish Center in the Philippines:

1. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA);

2. Department of Agriculture (DA);

3. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR);

4. National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI);

5. Bureau of Customs (BOC);

6. Bureau of Immigration (BI);

7. Conservation International-Philippines; and

8. FishBase Information and Research Group, Inc.

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate of the Philippines concur, as it hereby concurs, in the ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM) to establish an Office of the WorldFish Center in the Philippines. cHCIEA

Adopted,

(SGD.) JUAN PONCE ENRILEPresident of the Senate

This Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 6, 2012.

(SGD.) EMMA LIRIO-REYESSecretary of the Senate