President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has ordered the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to address issues concerning maritime schools, especially those that do not comply with educational quality standards.
During his 11th Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Oct 11, Marcos pointed out several issues concerning the country's transportation sector, including the maritime and aviation sectors.
He directed MARINA to resolve the issues on the quality of education in the maritime sector in order for the Philippines to be at par with international standards.
"Inutusan din niya ang MARINA na i-address ang problema ukol sa mga eskwelahan na hindi nagco-comply sa (He ordered MARINA to address the problems on schools that do not comply with the) educational quality standards base sa (based on) international requirements at (and) guidelines. Kasama din dito ang pagtugon sa isyu ng (It also includes the issue on) ship boarding requirements sa mga (for) maritime students," Undersecretary and Office of the Press Secretary officer-in-charge (OIC) Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil said in a press briefing.
Garafil said Marcos wants to upgrade the competencies of maritime schools in the country and to "fix training programs to give the students advantage and put them to international standards" in order to maintain the country's rank as the top supplier of seafarers in the world.
During the Cabinet meeting, the President also ordered the creation of a Maritime Industry Development Plan to improve the country's maritime and aviation sectors.
He also ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to keep the country's ports efficient to attract more cruise ships that will boost tourism.
The Chief Executive further told the DOTr to monitor the upgrade of the Manila Airport to address the growing demand, and study "existing unsolicited proposals" to modernize the existing airports.
He also floated the idea to build more airports in various places in the country.