President Marcos has encouraged a huge South Korean shipbuilding company to partner with Philippine institutions to help develop the country's shipbuilding capability.

Marcos made the call as he welcomed the partnership of HD Hyundai, a South Korean shipbuilder, and Cerberus, a global alternative investment firm with assets across credit, in Subic, which, the President believes, would "bring maritime manufacturing back to Subic and eventually restore the glory days of shipbuilding to our shores."

"We encourage HD Hyundai to partner with our Commission on Higher Education and Technical Skills Education Development Authority, or TESDA, in finding projects for the development of our very talented workforce," Marcos said in his speech.

"They will not only bring their skills to your company, but the brand of dedication, compassion, and hard work that has become the trademark of the Filipino worker," he added.

Moreover, the President expressed hopes that the investment plans made by Cerberus "will also be down to the upskilling and reskilling of the Filipino workforce, enabling us to adapt to new technologies required by industry."

He also stressed that Hyundai's initial focus on the development of offshore wind platforms holds well for the country's goal through transitioning to renewable energy.

"Of course, as HD Hyundai is recognized as one of the largest producers of ships in the world, we look forward to the opportunity to usher in a new era of shipbuilding in the country," he said.

Shipbuilding— PH's grand project

Marcos emphasized that the new partnership would bolster the country's "grand project" towards shipbuilding.

"This is the kind of progress and cooperation and innovation that I want the Philippines to have. This is the bagong Pilipinas, the new Philippines that we continue to build. And I hope that in the very near future that we will be measuring the success of this very grand project," Marcos said.

The Chief Executive also said that the partnership would help accelerate the progress of Subic, cementing its role as a driver of growth for the rest of the country.

"With this initiative of Cerberus and HD Hyundai, we will have a fresh start and a strong foundation in realizing our vision to be amongst the largest and most consequential shipbuilders in the world," he said.

"We have established our position as the largest source of competent and able seafarers in the world. The next logical step for us is to ensure that the ships run by Filipinos can also be made by Filipinos," he added.

In 2022, the Philippines was the seventh-largest shipbuilder in the world, contributing almost 400,000 gross tons of newly built sea and ocean-going vessels.

Marcos attended the announcement of the partnership held at the Malacañan on Tuesday afternoon, May 14.