Resolution Concurring in the Accession to the Protocol of 1997 to Amend the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as Modified by the Protocol of 1978 Relating Thereto

March 5, 2018

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 095

RESOLUTION CONCURRING IN THE ACCESSION TO THE PROTOCOL OF 1997 TO AMEND THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE PREVENTION OF POLLUTION FROM SHIPS, 1973, AS MODIFIED BY THE PROTOCOL OF 1978 RELATING THERETO

WHEREAS, the Constitution, Article VII, Section 21, states: "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";

WHEREAS, the Protocol of 1997 to Amend the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as Modified by the Protocol of 1978 Relating Thereto (MARPOL Annex VI) was adopted on 26 September 1997;

WHEREAS, the MARPOL Annex VI sets the limits on the main air pollutants contained in ships' exhaust gas, including sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from ship exhaust and prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone depleting substances, and requires the designation of emission control areas, setting more stringent for SOx, NOx and particulate matter;

WHEREAS, MARPOL Annex VI also regulates shipboard incineration, and the emission of volatile organic compounds from tinkers;

WHEREAS, the President of the Philippines ratified the Protocol on 9 August 2017 and submitted it to the Senate for concurrence, in accordance with the Constitution;

WHEREAS, in the hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on 20 February 2018, the following government agencies endorsed the concurrence to the accession to the Protocol:

1) Department of Foreign Affairs;

2) Department of Justice;

3) Philippine Ports Authority;

4) Maritime Industry Authority; and

5) Philippine Navy.

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Philippine Senate concur, as it hereby concurs, in the Philippine accession to the Protocol of 1997 to Amend the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as Modified by the Protocol of 1978 Relating Thereto.

Resolved, finally, That the President of the Philippines may, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate, withdraw from the Protocol. EcTCAD

Adopted,

(SGD.) AQUILINO "KOKO" PIMENTEL IIIPresident of the Senate

This Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 5, 2018.

(SGD.) LUTGARDO B. BARBOSecretary of the Senate