House Bill 6023 which aims to prevent or minimize pollution from ships passed second reading at the House of Representatives.

The bill, if passed into law, would cover minimizing marine pollution covering oily substances, harmful and toxic substances, garbage, sewage and other pollutants coming from ships and floating structures.

The measure, which substitutes House Bills 2585, 1888 and 509, also seeks to harmonize institutional arrangements concerning marine pollution and strengthen and complement enforcement of existing related laws on marine pollution, including the International Convention for the Prevention of Ships.

Rep. Maria Evita Arago, one of the authors, said the measure also seeks that a mechanism for environmental guarantee be institutionalized to finance the needs for emergency response, clean-up or rehabilitation of areas that may be damaged.

Rep. Irvin Alcala said it is their desire to take an active stance while the concerned sector is making its move towards the early ratification of MARPOL.

"The rampant degradation of the marine environment intensifies the need for the immediate passage of this measure," he said.

Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara said the measure seeks to implement international treaties, such as provisions of the MARPOL 73/78 - which is the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, as modified by Protocol of 1978, and other related protocols and annexes.

Under the measure to be known as the "Prevention of Pollution from Ships Act of 2012," Philippine ships, wherever they may be found and foreign-flagged ships, whether or not they are registered with state parties to the Convention are included in the coverage of all ships.

The measure also seeks to create the Marine Pollution Adjudication Board which is vested with quasi-judicial powers to adjudicate marine pollution cases.

The bill likewise defines prohibit acts and the corresponding penalties for violation, both administrative and criminal and provides a penalty or dismissal from service of government employees who connive with the ship's crew to violate or permit any violation.*