The Department of Transportation has cited its implementation of a marine environment protection project in partly fulfilling the Philippines' commitment to make the country's transport system at par with international standards.

The Philippine delegation to the 43rd ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group Meeting recently held in Nha Trang, Vietnam cited the country's enforcement of the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships and the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments under the Marine Environment Protection of the South East Asian Seas.

During the plenary session of the meeting, the Philippine delegation headed by Engr. Enrico C. Ferre, chief of the DoTr Transport Development Office, underscored that MEPSEAS, a joint project of the International Maritime Organization, North Amercan Aerospace Defense Command and seven Southeast Asian countries, demonstrates the continued commitment of ASEAN members to move towards a sustainable maritime transport system and to address significant marine environmental issues in the region.

"Under the new leadership of the Department of Transportation, together with the whole maritime sector, the Philippines is committed to transforming our transport system and elevating it to global standards, as well as enhancing maritime connectivity and mobility, including better port access, to deliver safe, comfortable, accessible and efficient transport,"€ Ferre said.