Resolution Concurring in the Ratification of the Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) Establishing the PEMSEA Resource Facility Center

May 25, 2015

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 086-15

RESOLUTION CONCURRING IN THE RATIFICATION OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE PARTNERSHIPS IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FOR THE SEAS OF EAST ASIA (PEMSEA) ESTABLISHING THE PEMSEA RESOURCE FACILITY CENTER

WHEREAS, the Constitution, Article 7, 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 Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) Establishing the PEMSEA Resource Facility Center was signed an 31 July 2012 in Manila, Philippines;

WHEREAS, PEMSEA is a multilateral and multi-sectoral organization with 12 countries and 19 non-country partners that serves as a regional coordinating mechanism for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia;

WHEREAS, the Agreement establishes the principal office of PEMSEA in the Philippines and grants privileges, immunities, and facilities to the PEMSEA's principal office, officials, staff, and consultants to ensure the effective operation of the PEMSEA Resource Facility Center and the discharge of functions of its officers, staff, and consultants;

WHEREAS, the Philippines has hosted PEMSEA since 1993 by providing the use of land, equipment, as well as other services and facilities to PEMSEA as the Philippines' contribution to the enhancement of sustainable coastal development in the region; AHDacC

WHEREAS, the PEMSEA Resource Facility Center will undertake work and projects on coastal and ocean governance; natural and man-made hazard prevention and management; habitat protection, restoration and management; water use and supply management; pollution and waste reduction management; as well as food security and livelihood management;

WHEREAS, PEMSEA, which has been based in Manila for the past fifteen years, frequently holds regional training seminars, workshops, study tours, meetings, and conferences in the country; out of its 35 officers and staff, 32 are Filipino nationals;

WHEREAS, hosting PEMSEA's seat in the Philippines would bring with it a number of economic and environmental benefits, as well as building the capacity of the country's coastal and marine experts, and raising the country's profile in international discussion on the sustainable use and management of coastal and marine areas;

WHEREAS, the Agreement, Article 8, Section 2 provides that it shall enter into force on the date of the written notification by the Government, through diplomatic channels, indicating that all the domestic requirements for its entry into force shall have been complied with;

WHEREAS, the President of the Philippines ratified the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) Establishing the PEMSEA Resource Facility Center on 22 November 2013 and has accordingly 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 5 March 2015, the following government agencies endorsed the concurrence in the ratification of the Agreement:

1. Department of Foreign Affairs; and

2. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Philippine Senate concur, as it hereby concurs, in the ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) Establishing the PEMSEA Resource Facility Center.

Adopted,

 

(SGD.) FRANKLIN M. DRILONPresident of the Senate

This Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 25, 2015.

 

(SGD.) OSCAR G. YABESSecretary of the Senate