US Embassy Manila
The Governments of the Philippines and the United States formally inaugurated the upgrade of radiation detection equipment at Asian Terminal Incorporated's (ATI) South Harbor and the International Container Terminal Services, Inc.'s (ICTSI) Manila International Container Terminal designed to further increase security measures at the Port of Manila, the country's premier trade gateway.
The radiation detection systems are part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Megaports Initiative to help deter, detect, and interdict illicit shipments of nuclear and other radioactive materials that might pass through international gateways such as seaports. The US Government has contributed US$26 million for setting up the facility in the Philippines alone. The U.S. DOE has to date deployed Megaports equipment in 38 major seaports worldwide.
A joint ceremony was held at the ICTSI Harbor Lounge and was attended by representatives from the Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, Department of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Customs, Philippine Ports Authority, ATI, ICTSI, U.S. Embassy, and U.S. Department of Energy.
The commissioning highlighted the decades long relationship between the two countries and the more recent cooperation to prevent nuclear proliferation and combat nuclear smuggling.
"Our cooperation with our Philippine partners underscores our shared commitment to increase security for cargo shipments and prevent illegal trafficking of nuclear materials," said U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas, Jr. "We look forward to continuing to work with the Philippines to enhance global peace and security as we work to implement the nuclear security agenda outlined by President Obama and our international partners."
"Megaports helps the Philippines meet a variety of goals. During the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, the radiation portal monitors installed at the Port of Manila were used in screening food shipments to ensure consumer safety," said Philippine Nuclear Research Institute Director Dr. Alumanda M. dela Rosa.
In 2005, the U.S. DOE signed a memorandum of intent with the Philippines Department of Science and Technology to implement the Megaports Initiative in the Philippines. The Port of Manila is a key port in South East Asia and one of the major feeder ports in Singapore, China, and Japan. The Port of Manila is the first site in the Philippines to become operational. The Megaports Initiative will install the radiation detection equipment at the Port of Cebu next.
The Megaports Initiative is part of the U.S. DOE's Second Line of Defense (SLD) Program, which works collaboratively with foreign governments at land border crossings, airports, and seaports to install radiation detection equipment and associated communications equipment. The SLD Program also provides training to host government officials to operate systems that detect smuggled nuclear and other radioactive materials.
Want To Contribute Stories/Features? Click Here
2
Posted at: 23:56 | Add Comment
| 
| 
del.icio.us