Iloilo first to implement port safety, health system in PHL

ILOILO CITY, Philippines  - The Philippine Ports Authority launched here the Port Safety Health and Environmental Management System (PSHEMS) to protect workers, passengers and other people using the port and handling of cargoes and container trucks or vans.

Officials said Iloilo is very lucky to be chosen as one of the pilot areas, together with Cagayan, in the implementation of the project, which would be undertaken in coordination with the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the Partnership in Environmental Management in Southeast Asia (PEMSEA).

PEMSEA program manager Renato Cardinal said the Port of Iloilo is the first in the entire country to implement the program, which would be replicated in other ports as well.

Winfred Elizalde, port manager and project team leader of PSHEMS-Port of Iloilo, said: "We really want to have one the best managed ports in the world."

Elizalde said safety is one of the top priorities of PSHEMS to have zero accident in the port while ensuring that the environment is also protected.

 "All agencies are collaborating with each other to address the problem. We're really working very hard," he said, adding that PSHEMS is just a matter of operations.

Elizalde, together with officials of the city government, PEMSEA and Maritime Industry Authority, among others, yesterday led the unveiling of the PSHEMS marker to officially launch the project, which is expected to be carried out fully next year.

Cardinal said the PPA has already the list of hazards and infrastructures in the Iloilo port that needs to be addressed and improved.

PSHEMS aims to continually improve the safety and health of port workers and stakeholders in line with the current international best practices to prevent accidents and to protect the environment and port communities from pollution and comply with statutory regulatory requirements. 

Nelia Cable, director of the Marine Services Division-Port Operations Service Division said the program was actually conceptualized in 2006 but it "has encountered many ups and downs."

She said, "It was not implemented as scheduled but, determined to pursue project, PPA explored the idea of availing the services of PEMSEA. Subsequently GTZ collaborated with PEMSEA to join with the assistance of the participating ports in the region, including Iloilo." (FREEMAN)