SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — An Inter-Agency Task Force for Maritime Incidents and Emergency Response (IATF-MIER) was created inside this premier Freeport that aims to ensure that the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is equipped to handle environmental emergencies.

The SBMA, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Customs (BoC), PNP Maritime Group, and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority signed the Memorandum of Understanding at the boardroom of the administration building on 21 November for the creation of the task force.

According to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, the creation of the IATF-MIER is timely, citing the recent oil spills that happened on the coast of Bataan that has wreaked havoc on the marine life as well as the livelihood of maritime stakeholders in the area.

He said that the IATF-MIER is a “Whole of Government” approach towards maritime related incidents, citing that the task force is composed of government agencies who are specialized in their fields of expertise, and would collaborate to prevent any incidents in the maritime scene here.

Chairman Aliño also said that the IATF-MIER can also be sent to nearby coastal areas in helping with any emergency response necessary, citing that the Port of Subic is strategically placed to immediately be deployed to any area in the country.

Senior Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Ronnie Yambao said that the SBMA Seaport Department has already procured oil response materials and equipment to handle potential environmental emergencies such as oil spill incidents.

These include an oil spill kit that has a capacity of around 416 liters, foam filled oil spill boom, and a PCG-certified oil spill dispersant.

“Considering the significant impact of oil spills, the procurement of oil spill response equipment is crucial for effective preparedness and response to pollution-related incidents,” he said.

“In 2025, the Seaport Department has planned a project for the installation of oil spill equipment at various port terminals, including the NSD Compound, SRF Compound, Boton and NCT/Leyte. The estimated cost for this project is P100,000,000,” he added, citing that the said equipment will help the IATF-MIER during oil spill response.