The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) partnered with a British company specializing in managing oil spill to boost its capabilities in responding to incidents at sea that require such proficiency.
Adm. Artemio Abu, PCG commandant, and Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) Regional Director for Asia Pacific Darren Waterman signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Malate, Manila on Monday, Feb. 20.
Under the MoU, the PCG and OSRL have committed to share response planning information; conduct joint trainings; and develop protocols for mobilization, coordination and mutual assistance during oil spill operations.
Abu thanked OSRL for assisting the PCG “in improving the overall capacity in preparing for and responding to oil spill incidents in the country.”
“The PCG is honored to begin its partnership with OSRL and we are confident that together, we can find and create sustainable solutions to mitigating the impacts of an oil spill incident within our maritime jurisdiction,” Abu stated.
According to the United Kingdom-based company, they are “the largest international industry-funded cooperative which exists to respond to oil spills wherever in the world they may occur, by providing preparedness, response and intervention services.”