The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), National Coast Watch Center (NCWC), and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) forged a partnership on the implementation of the Integrated Marine Environment Monitoring System (IMEMS) Phase II Project today, 24 January 2023.

PCG Commandant, CG Admiral Artemio M Abu; NCWC Director, CG Rear Admiral Roy Echeverria; and BFAR National Director, Atty. Demosthenes Escoto signed the memorandum of agreement ( MOA ) at the National Headquarters, Port Area, Manila.

Under the said MOA, the PCG shall establish, operate, regulate, and maintain all vessel traffic and monitoring systems (VTMS) nationwide, both inland waters or at open sea within the country's jurisdiction.

The PCG shall also conduct surveillance and inspection on all suspected persons, vessels, and watercraft navigating within the Philippine waters, including offshore platforms or oil rigs, and enforce all applicable national and international maritime security laws and regulations, including but not limited to port state control implementation.

For its part, the NCWC shall develop and maintain effective communications and information systems to enhance inter-agency coordination in maritime security operations.

The Center shall also coordinate the conduct of maritime surveillance or response operations upon the request of a member agency or when an exigency arises and develop a common operating picture to enhance maritime situational awareness.

The BFAR is currently implementing the IMEMS to significantly improve and extend its existing Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) capabilities.

It also targets operationalizing a Single Integrated National Marine Environment Monitoring System that is financially viable and scalable over the long term.

The said MOA continues to be effective until the project is fully implemented.