PBBM, ipinag-utos ang Whole-Of-Gov’t Approach para palakasin ang bagong maritime program

IPINAG-UTOS ni Pangulong  Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang whole-of-government approach para palakasin ang bagong maritime industry program, nakikitang makapagdadala ng mahalaga at matibay na  economic growth  sa bansa.

Sa naging talumpati ni Pangulong Marcos sa idinaos na  Philippine Maritime Industry Summit 2023,  sinabi ng Pangulo na sakop ng  bagong programa, tinawag na Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) 2028, ang  eight-point economic agenda ng kanyang administrasyon.

“Through this development plan—which was formulated by the MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority) and the DOTr (Department of Transportation),  in coordination with relevant government agencies and key stakeholders—we will achieve our two core objectives: First, to ensure the development and expansion of the Philippine merchant fleet and Second, to ensure the advancement of a future- ready maritime human capital,” ayon sa Pangulo.

“Specifically, this plan covers eight priority programs ranging from enhancing maritime transport safety and security; promoting environmental sustainability; implementing digitalization; modernizing, upgrading and expanding domestic and overseas shipping industries— including the local shipbuilding and ship repair industry; promoting a highly skilled and competitive maritime workforce; and adopting an effective and efficient maritime administration governance system,” litaniya ng Pangulo.

Tinukoy pa ng Chief Executive na layon ng MIDP na magtatag ng  sistema na  “lessen the detrimental impacts of both natural and man-made calamities and prepare for future contingencies that may affect the sector.”

Tinukoy ng Pangulo ang taong 2022 kung saan ang Pilipinas ang  primary source ng maritime manpower ng buong mundo— bumubuo sa 25% ng global seafarers at nakapagdadala ng may kabuuang USD6.71 billion na remittances.

“With that being said, I laud the commitment of our Filipino seafarers to bring honor and pride once again to the country. They do this by providing quality service across the globe and contributing to our nation-building efforts,” ayon sa Pangulo kasabay ng pasasalamat nito sa mga opisyal at miyembro ng domestic at overseas shipping, shipbuilding  at ship repair sectors sa bansa.

Inanunsyo rin ng Pangulo na  “as of Dec. 31, 2022”, mayroong 16,000 registered domestic sea vessels ang naglalayag sa 1,300 inter- island shipping routes  sa buong Pilipinas.

“There are almost 100 Philippine- registered overseas ships that yielded Php30.75 million in tax collections in 2022,” ani Pangulong Marcos.

“With regard to the local shipbuilding and ship repair sector, as of 2021, there are 116 MARINA registered shipyards across the country,” aniya pa rin.

Naniniwala naman ang Pangulo na ang Pilipinas bilang isang  maritime nation,  dapat na gawing top priority ang maritime industry.

“While we already hold a dominant position in the world of global shipping, I certainly believe that we can do more, especially here at home,” ayon sa Punong Ehekutibo.

“We already hold the most vital ingredient to success— which is our seafarers.  All we need to do now is to ensure that we harness their knowledge, make use of their experience, and mobilize our local industries to build an even stronger domestic maritime industry for the benefit of our people,”  aniya pa rin.

Dahil dito, hinikayat ng Pangulo ang lahat ng  government institutions at key stakeholders na magsama-sama at magtulungan para tiyakin ang patuloy na paglago at pag-unlad ng  maritime sector.

“I also urge all concerned agencies to pursue a whole-of-government approach to effectively implement the MIDP 2028 as well as to continue communicating with member-states of the International Maritime Organization and the European Union-Committee on Safe Seas,”  ayon sa Pangulo. (Daris Jose)