23 Sep First Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Stakeholders’ Workshop Convenes in Manila
The First Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Stakeholders’ Workshop was held on September 23, 2024, at the Admiral Hotel, Manila. This event gathers representatives from various government agencies, the academe, laboratories, and the chemical industry, notably the Samahan sa Pilipinas ng mga Industriyang Kimika (SPIK) to strengthen the Philippines’ commitment to the global ban on chemical weapons.
Undersecretary Bernardo C. Florece Jr., Executive Director of the Anti-Terrorism Council-Program Management Center and Head Secretariat of the Philippine National Authority on CWC, delivered the welcome remarks, setting the tone for an insightful and collaborative discussion.
Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, the Principal Sponsor of SB 2723, shared a keynote video message emphasizing the significance of the Chemical Weapons Prohibition Bill. His vision is crucial in shaping the nation’s stance against the use of chemical weapons.
Meanwhile, H.E. Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, the Philippine Ambassador to the Hague, Netherlands, and Permanent Representative to the OPCW, expressed a message of support, highlighting the country’s international obligations in the OPCW CWC.
Mr. Louie Intalan and Ms. Gayle Gloria-Raagas, both from the ATC-PMC, presented comprehensive talks on understanding the CWC and the importance of national compliance with its regulations. They shed light on the salient provisions of the proposed Senate Bill 2723, which aims to fortify the Philippines’ legal framework in line with CWC mandates.
The workshop also featured an interactive breakout session titled “Review of Senate Bill 2723 and Recommendations.” Here, participants were divided into groups, each assigned to scrutinize a specific section of the bill. Their mission is to evaluate its alignment with CWC requirements and propose constructive amendments to strengthen the legislation.
The anticipated outcomes of this gathering are a thorough review of Senate Bill No. 2723 and a set of actionable recommendations that will refine the bill and enhance its efficacy in line with international standards. This event is not merely an exchange of ideas; it is a collective stride towards a safer and more secure future, where the threat of chemical weapons is but a relic of the past.
In his concluding statements, FCSUPT Gilbert D Dolot, the Director for Intelligence and Investigation and the National Focal Point for CBRN, underscored the critical significance of fostering a collective effort to a world free from the threat of chemical weapons.
