By: Ana Veronica Gabriel

The OML Center, represented by Research Assistant Ana Veronica Gabriel, attended the 2nd Coast Guard Education and Training Command (CGETC) Symposium on Trending Topics and Developments entitled “Climate Change, Environmental and Ecological Stability: Towards Protecting Marine Ecosystem.” The symposium was held last June 27, 2014 in the Kalayaan Hall, Malacanang Compound, San Miguel, Manila.

The symposium was participated by various representatives from the national government, academic institutions, and civil society. The event was headed by the CGETC, which is the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) leading unit, in partnership with the Climate Change Commission and the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection, and in cooperation with the Office of the Coast Guard Staff for Operations, and Office of the Coast Guard Staff for Marine Environmental Protection.

The 2nd CGETC symposium aims to “enhance the capacity of the PCG to protect critical marine ecosystems, and aid in the enforcement of rehabilitation and conservation of environmentally critical areas.” Specifically, it aims to (a) “identify environmentally critical marine ecosystems, (b) “formulate enforcement strategies under a convergence framework,” and (c) “draft a road map for environmental protection in marine ecosystems.”

The symposium was able to update the participants on the current Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment report, state of the environmentally critical areas, biodiversity, and marine conservation measures, among others. It was also able to emphasize the role of marine environmental protection and sound maritime laws in climate change mitigation. Through the panel discussion and open forum, the speakers and participants were able to discuss the gaps and issues on marine conservation and enforcement of maritime laws.

The OML Center ensures its continuous support on raising awareness in protecting the marine ecosystem.