Marcos approves 10-year Maritime Industry Development Plan 2028

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has approved the 10-year Maritime Industry Development Plan 2028 (MIDP), the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Tuesday.

“To fully realize our potential as a maritime nation, the country requires a clearly defined and coordinated roadmap that shall accelerate the integrated development of the Philippine Maritime Industry,” Marcos said in Executive Order (EO) No. 55 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on February 8.

The MIDP eyes for a strong and reliable Philippine Merchant Fleet, which addresses sea transport requirements in support of national development, according to Marcos.

The EO tasks the MARINA Board to adopt a system for the effective implementation, monitoring, and review of the plan as well as its component programs.

Among the components programs are:

• the modernization, expansion and promotion of shipbuilding and ship repair industry; 
• promotion of highly-skilled and competitive maritime workforce; 
• enhancement of maritime transport safety and security; 
• promotion of environmentally sustainable maritime industry;
• implementation of a sustainable maritime innovation, transformation, digitalization and knowledge center; and
• adoption of an effective and efficient maritime administration governance system

An MIDP Technical Board is created to assist the board in implementing, monitoring, updating and reviewing the program, according to the PCO.

This will be composed of MARINA Board representatives with rank not lower than of an Assistant Secretary, or its equivalent, the PCO added.

The Board may also add other relevant agencies or instrumentalities as members if necessary, the PCO also said.

The four-page EO No. 55 said government agencies and instrumentalities should align and harmonize their policies and courses of action to ensure the effective implementation of the MIDP. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News