Together we make things happen - Philippine Ports Authority

Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS)Philippine Ports Authority • Annual Report 2008 1 8the Port Police Department (PPD) is not only responsiblefor the continuous upgrading of skills of port securitypersonnel and equipping them with the necessaryfire power but also in facilitating coordination andmaintaining strong linkage with external law enforcementagencies.During the year, the PPA-PPD participated in differenttraining courses, fora and conventions organized byvarious law enforcement groups, foreign and local, togain more experience and exposure on security-relatedprograms and issues. PPA participated in the followingtraining/fora:• Refresher Course for Trainers/RP-UK CrisisManagement Assistance Programme (RP-UK CMAP)• Meeting at the OTS-DOTC in connection with theASEAN-Japan Maritime Security Joint Exercise• Silver Commanders Refresher Course• Operational Commanders & Simulation Exercisefor National Counter Terrorism Action GroupCounter Terrorism Crisis Management& Simulation Exercise for Transport Sector• 2nd Philippine-Australia Bilateral Inter-AgencyConsultation on Counter-Terrorism• NALECC Sub-Committee on Traffic ManagementEnforcement and Anti-Carnapping (SCTMEA)As parallel initiatives, the PDOs as well as the PMO/TMOsunder their jurisdiction have likewise conducted inhousetraining/seminars on safety and fire drills, crisismanagement, bomb awareness, oil spill and radiationsafety seminar.The VTMS Control Center, now fully managed and operatedby the Vessel Traffic Services Division of PDO Manila/Northern Luzon, monitors vessel traffic within designatedareas of Philippine waters and provides assistance to ships,whenever necessary. Operating 24/7, the VTMS ControlCenter provides important and up-to-date advisory andalerts for emergency assistance to distressed vessels.Equipped with the state-of-the-art radar technologyestablished in three (3) strategic locations, the VTMS hasundoubtedly helped in the early detection of any imminentdanger of collision, as well as facilitate law enforcementagainst piracy and other crimes by supplying the PhilippineCoast Guard (PCG) and other law enforcement agencies withquick and timely information, thus enabling a safer and moreefficient navigation in Philippine waters.The VTMS facility has monitored a total of 10,751 vesselsin 2008 of which over 66% were domestic ships and 34%corresponding to 4,138 vessels were foreign ships. In May2008, the VTMS Control Center responded to the piracyincident involving MV “Thana Bhum” through close andimmediate coordination with the PCG Action Center.Shore Reception Facilities (SRFs)The PPA’s proactive approach to the protection of themarine environment provides the basis for the formulationof organizational policies on ecologically sound andsustainable port development. PPA actively encourages itscorporate partners to join the efforts toward environmentalprotection and water waste management. The specialproject on Shore Reception Facilities (SRFs) commissionedto the Golden Dragon International Terminals, Inc. (GDITI)has to date established 20 facilities for receiving wastes inselected ports nationwide.