President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. underscored that it was high time for the country to give priority to the maritime industry again to consolidate its dominant position in the world of global shipping.
In his remarks at the Philippine Maritime Industry Summit 2023, Marcos stressed that the country, given its maritime history, can do more than it has already achieved globally.
"Given that the Philippines is a maritime nation, I believe that it is time for us to make the maritime industry once again a top priority," Marcos said.
"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," he added.
The President's pronouncement was timely as the Department of Transportation (DOTR) and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) highlighted the Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) 2028 which covers eight priority programs for the sector's development.
Marcos pointed out that the country already holds "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," he said.
According to Marcos, as of Dec. 31, 2022, there were nearly 16,000 registered domestic ships plying the nearly 1,300 inter- island shipping routes across the country.
He added that there are almost a hundred Philippine- registered overseas ships that yielded P30.75 million in tax collections in 2022.
With regard to the local shipbuilding and ship repair sector, as of 2021, there are 116 MARINA registered shipyards across the country.
In order to achieve the goal, the President encouraged all government institutions and key stakeholders to collaborate, cooperate to ensure the continued growth and development of the maritime industry, which he tagged as "an extremely important 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," Marcos said.
The President also committed the administration's "unqualified support" to the sector's aspirations of building a Philippine maritime industry "that will be looked upon with admiration by the region and the rest of the world."
The MIDP 2028 aims to ensure the development and expansion of the Philippine merchant fleet, and the advancement of a future-ready maritime human capital.
It covers eight priority programs that focus on the enhancement of maritime transport security; promotion of environmentally sustainable maritime industry; implementation of maritime innovation and digitalization; expansion of domestic and overseas shipping industry; promotion of competitive workforce; promotion of shipbuilding and ship repair industry; and adoption of efficient maritime administration governance system.