RP reelected to Oil Pollution Compensation Executive Committee

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines was reelected to the International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) Executive Committee that reviews oil-spill incidents around the world.

In his report to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine Ambassador to the Court of St. James Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo said the Philippines was reelected as member of the 1992 Fund Executive Committee at elections held in London last Oct. 15.

Lagdameo, who is concurrently the Philippine Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization, noted that the Philippines will occupy its seat in the Executive Committee for one year.

The Executive Committee is an organ of the International Oil Pollution Compensation 1992 Fund tasked to review oil-spill incidents around the world where the 1992 Fund is liable to compensate victims.

Among the incidents being reviewed by the Executive Committee are the sinking of Solar I off the coast of Guimaras Island in November 2006.

A total of UK£10.74 million have already been paid to claimants by the 1992 Fund in this incident, with the assessment of the expenses incurred by the Philippine Coast Guard in responding to the incident remaining as the only outstanding claim.

In the same meeting in London, Minister Francisco Noel Fernandez III of the Philippine Embassy in London was elected as vice chairman of the 1992 Fund Executive Committee.

He succeeded Patrick Tso Chi-hung of Hong Kong, who decided not to seek re-election. Sweden’s Daniel Kjellgren was re-elected as the Executive Committee’s chairman.

The IOPC Funds is an inter-governmental body composed of three independent and separate organizations, namely the 1992 Fund, the Supplementary Fund, and the 1971 Fund.

It provides compensation for oil pollution damage caused by spills from oil carried by tankers.

The organization is supported by a Secretariat based in London and is manned by international civil servants. Contributions to the Funds come from levies collected from companies which receive oil after sea transport, normally oil companies.

Another two-year term

Aside from the IOPC, the Philippines was also reelected to another two-year term in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc), receiving the biggest number of votes among18 countries that won seats in the 54-member body.

In a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Hilario Davide Jr. said the Philippines received 185 votes to be allowed to continue serving in the body until 2012, when its two-year term ends on Dec. 31.

“The Philippines was eagerly supported by countries and reelected to a second two-year term because Member States value the contributions of the Philippines and its diplomats in the Ecosoc,” Davide said.

He credited the election to the country’s active participation and substantive contributions to the policy work of the body on issues under its purview since 2007.

The Ecosoc, one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to Member States and the United Nations system.

It is responsible for promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress; identifying solutions to international economic, social and health problems; facilitating international cultural and educational cooperation; and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Ecosoc has the power to make or initiate studies and reports on these issues. It also has the power to assist the preparation and organization of major international conferences in the economic and social and related fields and to facilitate a coordinated follow-up to these conferences.

With its broad mandate, the Council’s purview extends to over 70 percent of the human and financial resources of the entire UN system.

“The Philippines will strive once more to be worthy of the trust and confidence the Member States have reposed in the country by participating actively, working constructively, and exerting every effort to make a positive contribution to the crucial work of the Ecosoc,” Davide said.

The Philippines, which also topped the elections for the 2007-2009 term in 2006, garnered a total of 185 votes out of a total 188 Member States of the UN present and voting. The three other votes were abstentions.

Also elected were Bangladesh, Mongolia, and Iraq representing Asia; Belgium, Canada, Italy, and the United States for Western Europe and other States; Slovakia and Ukraine for Eastern Europe; Argentina, Bahamas, and Chile for Latin America and the Caribbean; and Comoros, Egypt, Ghana, Rwanda, and Zambia for Africa.