Should she win as president in May 2022, Vice President Leni Robredo has an ambitious plan to build cargo vessels “that can sail around the world carrying the Philippine flag."
In an aim to boost the country's maritime industry, the presidential aspirant said on Monday, March 7, that she wants to double the industry's contributions—from six percent to 12 percent.
This is possible only if Congress can pass the Philippine Ship Registry Act, modernize harbors and ports, and invest in people.
“There is no reason that this (cargo shipping line) could not be done. We have some of the best shipbuilders in the world,” she told the maritime sector as she attended the Filipino Seafarers Association (FSA) virtual forum.
“We are a maritime culture with seawater running in our veins. Mas maraming tayong katubigan kaysa kalupaan (We have more water than land),” she added.
The aspiring president did not only want to focus on shipbuilding, but she wants to make sure the industry will have an international cargo line that can ply the waters bringing goods across the globe.
“Ano ang (What is the) implication ng pagkakaroon ng (of having a) flag-carrying na vessel? Talagang bubukas iyong maraming opportunities for us even iyong domestic shipping magkakaroon ng (Many opportunities will open for us even the domestic shipping will have a) whole new life of its own,” she said.
The Philippines supplies one-fourth of the 1.6 million seafarers around the world. They bring billions of dollars worth of remittances to the country every year.
The Vice President mentioned that the country has two major shipbuilding companies that employ about 48,000 people, but the country has failed to sustain its shipbuilding industry because of the lack of infrastructure.
READ: VP Leni wants to prop up ‘blue’ industries, says PH can be ‘leading maritime power’
She will also “certify as urgent” the Philippine Ship Registry Act, which aims to promote a comprehensive Philippine ship registry system that was often plagued by “red tape.”
The proposed legislation will help the country’s shipbuilding industry become more competitive while also encouraging shipowners in other parts of the world to register their vessels under the Philippine flag.
“This is unlocking the knots in the economy. It will unlock a lot of doors,” Robredo said.
Former Angkla Party-list Rep. Jesulito “Jess” Manalo expressed frustration at the lack of an efficient ship registry system in the country.
“So, iyong red tape po ang hinihingi namin sa inyo tanggalin po natin ang (the red tape is what we’re asking from you to remove the) hindrance towards that and we will get the registry we need,” he stressed.
Manalo shared that Panama has 22,000 registered vessels under its flag despite not supplying seafarers.
Registry of ships there will take only 24 hours, the lawmaker noted, while the current ship registry process in the country extends to seven months.
Robredo also promised not to make political appointments in the maritime sector, a promise she also gave other industries, because political appointees tend to “over-regulate.”
“Iyong sabi mo, Sir, na (What you said, Sir, that) I will leave it with the experts. That is the commitment that I will be giving you,” she said.
“Hindi ako maglalagay na tao na hindi galing sa inyo (I will not appoint someone not from you ),” the Vice President added.
Dario Alampay, FSA chairman and president, welcomed Robredo’s remarks, adding that they had always wanted to be an able partner of the government in growing the maritime industry.
This is not Robredo’s only program for the shipping industry if she wins as president. She earlier shared a plan to expand a cadetship program she started in the Bicol region under the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
READ: Robredo plans to expand seafarers' cadetship program
The program aims to provide an opportunity for Filipino seafarers to earn more by being officers. It will also bring more remittances to the country.