The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) requires that drills and exercises are held regularly to ensure maritime security in port facilities. An Advanced Drills and Exercises Workshop to arm participants with the knowledge and skills needed to plan, conduct, and assess security drills and exercises in their port facilities and to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the ISPS Code took place in Manila, Philippines (9-12 May).
The aim of the workshop was to strengthen the technical capabilities of the Office of Transportation Security as a Designated Authority, as well as port security officials and managers. Over the four days, 28 officials from several organizations (see below) involved in maritime security were shown how to draft and conduct drills and exercises using the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Manual. Participants also reviewed existing APEC manual sample exercises which can be customized to suit their context.
The opening meeting of the workshop was attended by the Undersecretary Ma. O R Aplasca, Administrator, Office of Transportation Security; Assistant Secretary Jose A Briones Jr, Deputy Administrator; and Jose V Carillo, Director, Transport Security Policy and Program Service.
Bodies represented by the workshop’s participants:
Office of Transportation Security
Authority of the freeport, area of Bataan (AFAB)
Asian Terminal Inc (ATI)
Batangas industrial Security (BISA)
Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA)
Cebu Port Authority
Chevran Batangas Inc
Davao International Container Terminal (DICT)
Global Terminal Port Inc
Manila International Container Terminal (MICT)
Pryce Gases Inc
San Miguel Brewery Inc
Steag State Power Inc
Subic Bay International Terminal Corp (SBITC)