7 March 2005 – Assistant Secretary Alberto A. Encomienda of the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Center (MOAC), DFA announced that the DFA-MOAC will host the Third Philippines-Vietnam Joint Oceanographic Marine Scientific Expedition in the South China Sea (JOMSRE-SCS III) from 6 to 9 April 2005.

“This joint scientific survey of the South China Sea is a regular cooperative scientific research expedition between the Philippines and Vietnam that is designed to advance the scientific aspect of marine research and encourage broader participation among countries along the lines conceived under Part IX of the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS),” Assistant Secretary Encomienda explained.

According to the MOAC Assistant Secretary, the marine scientific research will be formally launched in Subic Bay on 6 April 2005.   Filipino and Vietnamese scientists on board BRP Hydrogrpahic Presbiterio, a survey ship of the National Mapping and Resource Information Agency, will study the area.   Participants will be divided into four working groups namely 1) physical and chemical oceanography, 2) ichthyoplankton, 3) geology and 4) marine biodiversity.   Twenty-three stations in the South China Sea from Manila in the Philippines to Nha Trang in Vietnam will be surveyed.   Upon arrival in Nha Trang, post cruise activities, including presentation of preliminary results of the expedition to media, will be hosted by Vietnam.

The conduct of the 3rd JOMSRE-SCS will be in accordance with the RP-Vietnam agreement to institutionalize JOMSRE during the 3rd Meeting of the RP-Vietnam  Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation(JCBC) held in Manila on 23 February 2003. “Institutionalization of the JOMSRE would further enhance the confidence and trust between the two countries,” Assistant Secretary Encomienda added. END