In 2018, the Philippines ratified Annex V of the International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (Marpol) a bit late for an archipelago, indeed. But just the same its good to have another compelling reason to check on ships navigating in the waters of this archipelago as possible source of marine litter. As a party to Marpol, the Philippines is obliged to put up legislation and/or implementing regulations which will ensure that ship generated wastes defined as garbage under the convention are properly collected, stored, treated and disposed. Each of these steps require detailed requirements for all ships, regardless of type, size and trading routes, i.e. in domestic or international waters.

Pimentel, B. V. (2019, May 15). Garbage at sea. The Manila Times, p. B7.