Multi-sector panel discussion at the launch of the Ocean Centres Philippines, locally hosted by the Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP). From left to right: Mr. Gerardo Borromeo, CEO of Philippine Transmarine Group; Engr. Miguel Paco Erlano, Manager of Sustainability of EnergiesPH Inc.; Hon. Sonia Malaluan, Administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA); Ms. Jo Ann Eala, VP and Head of Sustainability office of BPI; Ms. Dhang Tecson, Founder of Sinaya Seafood; and Mr. Marvin Nalica, Global HSSE Coordinator of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Moderated by Mr. Ben Secretario, the Programmes Manager of GCNP.
UN Global Compact Network Philippines joins local rollout of global Ocean Centres initiative
Makati, Philippines – 10 July 2025 – Following its global launch at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, the Ocean Centres initiative officially begins in the Philippines in an event convened by the Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP).
The event in the Aboitiz Tech Space of the Asian Institute of Management brings together leaders from the maritime, finance, renewable energy, and public sectors to drive forward a safer and more sustainable ocean economy.
The Ocean Centres is a long-term initiative hosted by the UN Global Compact and supported by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation. It has been set up in seven countries – Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Each centre, strategically located to address regional safety challenges, will play a vital role in fostering collaboration between governments, industry leaders, and maritime communities. The initiative will foster locally led solutions to the challenges that are to be found in each of the regions.
The Ocean Centres focus on four key action areas: shipping and ports, fishing and aquaculture, offshore renewables, and finance and investment – each addressing safety and sustainability across emerging ocean sectors. These priorities were shaped by national insights and stakeholder input to ensure local relevance and global impact.
Building on this, they aim to promote responsible business practices in ocean-based economies and influence the creation of new standards and policies.
Under the theme, “LAYAG: #OceanCentresPH tungo sa ligtas at likas-kayang karagatan.” the Philippine event aims to foster dialogue across key sectors, including shipping, ports, fishing, aquaculture, offshore renewables, and ocean finance, and mobilize partnerships for national safety goals.
“The launch of Ocean Centres Philippines marks a turning point for the country’s blue economy,” said Edward Gacusana, Institutional Partnership Manager of GCNP. “We are proud to be leading this nationally anchored, globally connected initiative that brings together local knowledge, cross-sector collaboration, and global best practices.”
Highlights include a keynote address by Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Sonia Malaluan and a multi-sectoral panel discussion featuring representatives from Philippine Transmarine Carriers (PTC) Group, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), Sinaya Seafood, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Energies PH, and MARINA.
“The Ocean Centres Philippines will serve as a go-to resource and hub for ocean safety, sustainable practices, and research collaboration,” said Yrhen Balinis, Ocean Centres Philippines Country Lead. “Our mission is to co-create solutions with those most affected and ensure that local voices drive national and global change.”
For more information about the Ocean Centres initiative, go to https://www.oceancentres.com/
Note to Editors
For further information, please contact:
Trish Estomo
Marketing & Communications Officer
Global Compact Network Philippines
trish.estomo@gcnp.org.ph | https://gcnp.org.ph/
About the Philippine Oceans Centre
The Ocean Centres Philippines is hosted by the Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP), the country network of the United Nations Global Compact, uniting 65 local participants from top corporations, SMEs, and NGOs to advance responsible business practices.
Ocean Centres Philippines aligns with the global vision of putting safety at the heart of sustainability. As a national platform, it aims to be a central hub for maritime innovation, coordination, and knowledge-sharing.
Across the initiative’s four Action Areas, the Philippines’ priorities are:
- Shipping & Ports
- Fishing & Aquaculture
- Finance & Investment
- Offshore Renewables
The Ocean Centres, Philippines Team
- Edward Gacusana
Institutional Partnership Manager
UN Global Compact Philippines
- Yrhen Bernard Sabanal Balinis
Country Lead
Ocean Centres, Philippines
- Engr. Ithan Jessemar Dollente
Focal Point
Ocean Centres, Philippines
About the UN Global Compact
The ambition of the UN Global Compact is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the SDGs through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change. With more than 20,000 participating companies, 5 Regional Hubs, 63 Country Networks covering 80 countries and 13 Country Managers establishing Networks in 18 other countries, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative—one Global Compact uniting business for a better world. For more information, follow @globalcompact on social media and visit our website at unglobalcompact.org.
About Lloyd’s Register Foundation
Lloyd’s Register Foundation is an independent global safety charity that supports research, innovation, and education to make the world a safer place. Its mission is to use the best evidence and insight to help the global community focus on tackling the world’s most pressing safety and risk challenges.
To find out more about Lloyd’s Register Foundation, visit www.lrfoundation.org.uk.