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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Oducado: Strong Philippine maritime industry to boost economy

Oducado: Strong Philippine maritime industry to boost economy

Published Jul 5, 2025 12:46 pm  |  Updated Jul 5, 2025 01:51 pm

At A Glance

  • 1Tahanan Party-list Rep. Nathaniel Oducado will push for a measure that will strengthen the Philippine Ship Registry as part of his commitment to boost the local maritime sector.
1Tahanan Party-list Rep. Nathaniel Oducado will push for a measure that will strengthen the Philippine Ship Registry as part of his commitment to boost the local maritime sector.
Oducado says the measure is among his legislative priorities in the 20th Congress as he believes that a strong maritime industry can drive up the economy through trade and transportation.
It is also crucial in creating jobs, driving regional development, and strengthening national security, he added.
Following consultations with officials from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the party-list solon said strengthening the Philippine Ship Registry will allow more Filipino-flagged vessels to sail while in compliance with the international standards.
The possibility of establishing a ship building and ship repair industry was also talked about as the Philippines has huge potential to become a maritime innovation and skilled labor hub in Asia, according to Oducado.
The Philippines is among the leading ship builders in the world producing 805,938 in gross tonnage (GT).
''Our country is abundant in deep-water spaces for port and shipyard development. We have a long history in the art of seafaring and shipbuilding,'' he said.
Oducado says the country is a premier source of sea-based manpower, with about 578,672 seafarers, according to 2023 data from MARINA.
He also said the Philippines has shipyards that serve as ship repairers, boat builders and ship breakers for different ports across the world.
Some 60 percent of the shipyards own or utilize shipways and 66 percent of the 186 shipyards need rehabilitation, he said.
As the Philippines is an archipelagic country, Oducado says millions of Filipinos depend on the sea for their livelihood—not as seafarers but through fishing and international trade.
''Strengthening this sector is not just beneficial for us, it is essential to the country's national development,'' he said.
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