GOVPH

IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee Approves Designation of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area

20 September 2017 - The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) approved on 07 July 2017 during its 71st session for the Philippine application for the designation of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (TRNP-PSSA) with the adoption of the MEPC Resolution on the TRNP in the Sulu Sea PSSA.

In adopting the resolution, MEPC 71 took note "of the ecological criteria, in particular the criteria relating to uniqueness or rarity, naturalness, diversity and fragility criteria, and the socio-economic and scientific criteria of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park as well as its vulnerability to damage by international shipping activities and the steps taken by the Philippines to address that vulnerability."

Earlier, MEPC 71 adopted the recommendation of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee approving the TRNP area as an Area To Be Avoided (ATBA) by all types of ships of 150 gross tonnage and upwards. The ATBA is aimed at minimizing the risk of damage from ship groundings and pollution damage by international shipping activities and to protect the area's unique and threatened species as well as to preserve as far as practicable its critical habitat and diversity. The MEPC resolution stated that mariners should exercise extreme care when navigating in the area bounded by the geographical coordinates of the PSSA and adhere to the ATBA, which is defined by the following coordinates:

(1) 09º 17'.75 N, 119º 47'.79 E

(2) 09º 04'.73 N, 120º 12'.76 E

(3) 08º 49'.63 N, 120º 13'.99 E

(4) 08º 29'.63 N, 119º 53'.16 E

(5) 08º 36'.15 N, 119º 35'.46 E

(6) 09º 11'.06 N, 119º 36'.67 E

thence back to point (1).

The ATBA for the PSSA will take effect on 1 January 2018 at 0000 hours UTC based on an IMO Safety of Navigation Circular.

In the resolution designating the region surrounding the TRNP as a PSSA, the MEPC invites IMO Member Governments to recognize the ecological, socio-economic and scientific criteria of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park area as well as its vulnerability to damage by international shipping activities. The MEPC also invites Member Governments to note the ATBA to address the area's vulnerability.

PH AMBASSADOR TO KOREA WELCOMES KAIST’S OFFER OF ASSISTANCE IN S&T

                                                               PH Ambassador to ROK Raul S. Hernandez (center) with diplomats, dignitaries and KAIST faculty at KAIST’s Networking Day with

                                                                                               Diplomatic Missions (KAIST Embassy Day) at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul on 23 June 2017.

Seoul, 26 June 2017- PH Ambassador to Korea was among the special guests during the Networking Day hosted by the Korean Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST) for diplomatic missions on 23 June 2017 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul.

In his opening remarks, Mr.SHIN Sung-Chul, President of KAIST, expressed hope that the networking event would pave the way for KAIST to build a wider network of collaborative partnerships with more S&T institutions overseas to advance global scientific research and development.

PH Ambassador to Korea Raul S. Hernandez had the opportunity to personally greet President Shin during the networking event and commended KAIST on its ranking as one of the leading S&T universities in the world and for its remarkable achievements in advancing the development of science and technology. Ambassador Hernandez also welcomed KAIST’s offer to assist S&T institutions overseas in terms of student exchange and research collaboration.    

Following President Shin’s remarks, KAIST highlighted some of its scientific accomplishments which have garnered international acclaim. Professor OH Jun-ho, Director of KAIST’s Humanoid Robot Research Center delivered a presentation on the conceptualization and development of KAIST’s renowned humanoid robot, HUBO, which won the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Robotics Challenge (DRC) in 2015 which was participated in by renowned institutions such as the US based National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Professor Sang-Yup Lee, Dean of the KAIST Institute, which is the center of multidisciplinary research projects at KAIST, spoke about KAIST’s advances in metabolic engineering. In addition, Professor David Helfman of the Department of Biological Science shared his research on the development of targeted therapies to address breast cancer metastasis. 

The event also served as an opportunity for KAIST’s International Office to promote the International Admissions Program for International Students and to announce that KAIST is open to recruiting talented faculty and researchers from overseas. Currently, 179 foreign faculty and researchers from over 31 countries, representing 8.7% of the total faculty, are working at KAIST. 710 foreign students from 86 countries, representing about 8% of the total students, are studying at KAIST. 

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PH EMBASSY CELEBRATES 119TH PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH FILIPINOS IN ROK

SEOUL, 11 June 2017 – A daylong community event, called “Bayanihan sa Korea 2017,” was held at the Banpo Hangang Park along the Han River on 11 June 2017 to commemorate the 119^th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 22^nd Migrant Workers Day.

The annual event, which was organized by the Philippine Embassy in Seoul with the invaluable support of Stimula Productions, Inc. and the Seoul City government, was attended by around 2,000 Filipinos from all over South Korea.

The event started with a Catholic mass officiated by the Papal Nuncio to Korea Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla, who is also from the Philippines. The mass was followed by a short program featuring congratulatory messages from this year’s guests of honor, Vice Mayor Liu, Gyoung-Gee of the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Mr. Kim, Pyung-Hee of HRD Korea.

Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez, in his welcome remarks, paid tribute to the people who fought for the country’s freedom. He also challenged the audience to continuously fight for our freedom against poverty, crimes, drugs, and corruption.

Ambassador Hernandez also honored the thousands of Filipinos working in South Korea who, in pursuit for change or better lives for themselves and their families back home, are faced with many difficulties. He lauded their courage and passion, as well as the role they play in the economic growth and prosperity of the Philippines.

Ms. Sandara Park, an A-list K-pop artist who started her showbiz career in the Philippines, also graced the event. She was introduced as the PH-ROK Friendship Ambassador to the members of the Filipino Community and was cited for her commitment in promoting the Philippines as well as for being an effective instrument to bridge the two countries.

Following the formal part of the program was the parade of the different Filipino Community organizations in Korea. 32 groups, in their colorful Filipiniana wear and organization shirts, joined the parade. The Seoul Filipino Community was awarded Best in Parade while the Ansan Filipino Community bagged the Best in Street Dance award.

The event also featured performances from local groups as well as live performances from Filipino celebrities, Mr. Michael Pangilinan and Ms. Liezel Garcia.

On-site services, such as labor counseling, medical services, and financial and remittance promotion, were also made available. Prizes, such as laptop computers, round trip tickets to Manila, and other prizes, were also raffled off.

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