TANKER operators and oil companies are holding off any action against Republic Act 9483 or the Oil Pollution Compensation Act until its implementing guidelines are released by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).
In a forum during last week’s Maritime Week celebration, the Philippine Petroleum Sea Transport Association (Philpesta) said, “It’s premature if we make our move now. We will make the necessary moves, including a court action, once the guidelines are released.”
RA 9483 seeks to implement the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 International Oil Pollution Fund (IOPF) Convention. The law requires tanker operators to contribute P0.10 of freight to the oil pollution fund for every liter it delivers. It also obligates oil firms to contribute to the IOPF each time 150,000 tons of oil is delivered to them.
The tanker operators and oil firms are against the law which they describe as poorly crafted. They said it would ultimately increase oil prices, and affect all commodity prices.
Marina will soon forward the RA 9483 implementing rules to the office of Transport Secretary Leandro Mendoza for review.
