Says Neda executive
If the Philippines is to become the world’s fourth-largest shipbuilding nation in five to 10 years, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said safety and security in the maritime industry must be prioritized.
In a statement, Neda Assistant Director General Ruperto Majuca said the movers of the Philippine maritime industry must continue upgrading their standards and implementing the sector’s existing plans and strategies, including those outlined in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-16. The plans and strategies include ensuring transport safety and security.
Majuca noted that the maritime sector has been plagued with more than 160 accidents a year over the last decade.
“The maritime industry needs to update regularly their safety and security standards and strictly implement them, to keep up with international benchmarks and practices,” Majuca said. “Ensuring the effectiveness of maritime policy should be complemented with advancements in transportation infrastructure, which are crucial in boosting infrastructure development and the services sector. The PDP 2011-16 endeavors to ensure an integrated and coordinated transport network, including improving the country’s roll-on, roll-off [Roro] terminal system, that will enhance our interisland logistics.”
Majuca also said the shipbuilding and, generally, the entire maritime industry, must be in compliance with international maritime security standards. It can be noted that the Philippines has adopted the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.
During the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Vietnam last year, Majuca said that one of the flagship programs identified under the Master Plan on Asean Connectivity is a Roro Network that will explore sea linkages in the region.
“Vessel Traffic Management Systems have been installed in some ports in Manila, Corregidor Island and Batangas, and additional ones are being planned in the country’s other ports. In line with this, the government reviewing the development of existing Roro ports to accommodate international Roro ships, as well as the necessary regulatory framework to promote such service,” said Majuca.
Majuca said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) earlier noted that shipbuilding investments are seen to grow by another P93 billion by 2014. This is largely be due to the government’s efforts to increase interconnectivity and tap markets, such as Korea and Japan.
He added that other existing ports located in areas outside Metro Manila will also be promoted to open opportunities to worldwide shipping in the new areas as well as explore the development of port facilities through public-private partnership (PPP).
“With this development, the Philippines could be the fourth largest shipbuilding nation in the world in the next five to 10 years,” said Majuca.
“Identified port development projects through PPP would help boost tourism by servicing interisland and international cruise vessels. Post-harvest facility projects would also include development of port or transport facilities, in terms of handling agricultural products,” he added.
Besides providing the world’s seafarers, the Philippines is also becoming one of the world’s shipbuilding hubs.
The Neda earlier said the country’s shipbuilding industry is now ranked fifth worldwide by accounting for 2 percent of the global market.
In 2010, the gross value added in water transport services posted a 2.3-percent growth from a contraction of 19.9 percent in 2009. It also contributed around P4.2 billion to the Philippine economy or half a percent of total services in 2010.
He added that the maritime sector, particularly through the remittances of seafarers abroad, was instrumental in helping gross national product grow by 7.2 percent in 2010 from only 4 percent in 2009.
Filipino seafarers remitted about $1 billion to the country annually according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. In January this year, OFW remittances reached $41.48 billion, up 7.6 percent.
Source: Business Mirror
