Manama, October 3 (BNA) About 40 leaders of the Filipino community attended a forum organized by the Embassy of the Philippines in Bahrain to celebrate the annual month of awareness of the maritime and archipelagic nation.
The theme was “Our Seas, Our Lives, Our Lives: A Holistic A Nation’s Approach Towards Raising Marine and Ocean Consciousness”.
Maritime Affairs Officer Anne Jalando-on-Louis said the main objective of the forum is to promote awareness of marine environmental protection and marine resource management.
“As an archipelagic nation, the Philippines is blessed with a rich marine biodiversity and marine environment, with an increased awareness of marine issues and concerns, OFWs can find time to inspire other Filipinos to realize their potential to achieve great things,” said Lewis.
Vice Consul Blitz B. Sumagaysay presented outstanding facts and figures about the Philippines as a maritime nation.
He also explained relevant information on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which provides a general normative framework for the regulation of oceanic space.
Mary Jane Montemore, Senior GIS Engineer in Bahrain who previously worked at the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), provided an interactive map of maritime boundaries such as territorial waters, baseline, territorial waters, contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.
In his closing remarks, Captain Francis C. Cacho, Senior National Representative of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFPSNR) to Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain, shared his views and experiences towards maintaining environmental and ecological integrity. He also hoped that the forum would enhance the attendees’ understanding of maritime issues.
Labor Extension, Atty. The forum was attended by Vic Kabi, Overseas Workers Welfare Officer (OWWA), Redina Manlapaz, and staff from the Embassy of the Philippines.