My ten year stint as IMO Regional Coordinator and now continuing work in the maritime field through consultancy works have opened for me a good opportunity of visiting various Asian countries and engaging with maritime officials which allow me to constantly gain extensive knowledge and information on the different circumstances obtaining in each of these countries. Awareness of the varying levels of maritime development in the region started through my participation as member of the Philippine delegation to regional and international meetings and conferences notably those convened by the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), among others.