MARINA eyes more Mindanao-Luzon sea routes

MARINA eyes more Mindanao-Luzon sea routes
Lilian Mellejor PNA October 1, 2018 http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1049580

DAVAO CITY -- The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will be opening more routes from Mindanao to Luzon, as one of the programs of President Rodrigo Duterte to help spur economic growth in Mindanao.

MARINA Administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero said Saturday the agency is now collaborating with shipping firms for the planned opening of sea routes like the Davao-Manila, which Duterte had wanted to reopen to give people from Mindanao a choice to travel by sea or air, given the high prices of air tickets.

Guerrero said there are already shipping companies that have expressed interest to ply the Mindanao to Luzon route. The passenger ships plying the Davao-Manila route had been abolished many years ago.

“In due time, we will be opening the routes from Mindanao to Luzon. Isa yan sa programa ng ating Presidente (It’s one of the programs of our President),” Guerrero said in an interview here, on the sidelines of the Maritime Industry Forum, in celebration of the National Maritime Week and Maritime and Archipelagic National Awareness Month (MANA MO).

He said the Mindanao–Luzon routes are still very viable, especially for cargoes.

To complement this move, Guerrero said the government is also improving seaports, including the Davao Sasa Port, which will be rehabilitated and expanded under the "Build, Build, Build" program of the Duterte administration.

In his speech during the Maritime forum held at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Secretary Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go called on MARINA to open more sea routes from Mindanao for faster movement of goods and the people.

Go said faster movement of goods and people would result in a stronger tourism industry and spur development, especially in Mindanao.

“Kaya hinihimok ko po kayo na pag-aralan ang pagbubukas ng mga bagong ruta para sa ating mga barko upang mas mapabilis ang paggalaw at pagpapadala ng kargamento (So, I am calling on you to study the possibility of opening of new sea routes to hasten the delivery and movement of goods),” said Go, who was the guest speaker during forum attended by major players in the Maritime sector, including government agencies from different regions in Mindanao.

Go underscored Mindanao’s contribution to the economy, given its many opportunities for sustainable economic growth.

He said the Duterte administration is ready to pour in USD180 billion for infrastructure development for the country to contribute to the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity. Go said improving sea connectivity would facilitate the flow of capital, goods, and people in every region in the country.

Go said a stronger maritime industry in Mindanao will not only provide investments from various companies and corporations but will also give more opportunities for jobs and education.

Guerrero also assured that MARINA is working on the improvement of a safe and secure maritime transportation. He said MARINA aims to show domestically and to the world that the country’s maritime transportation is not only reliable and efficient but also safe for passengers and cargoes.

“Kasama sa mandate and pagpapatupad ng security policies on board ships (It is included in our mandate to implement security policies on board ships),” he said.

MARINA, he said, is also pushing the maritime development program to boost the overseas and domestic shipping, shipping manpower, ship-building, and ship repair, including cross-cutting sectors like tourism, fishing, logistics, and data-related services.

He said MARINA collects a lay-up fee of about USD140 per vessel per day. MARINA already collected more than PHP116 million from 2008 to 2017.

During the forum, Duterte’s top aide also asked MARINA to reach out and work with the local government units (LGUs) towards a doable and achievable goal.

He also urged LGUs to explore the potentials of their respective areas.

“With your cooperation and help, we will strive to make the lives of our Mindanao brothers and sisters better through the maritime industry,” he said. He also recognized the contribution of the seafarers to the country’s growth.

“Malaki ang bilib at tiwala ng mga iba't-ibang international shipping lines at company dahil sa angking galing, sipag, at dedikasyon ng ating mga kababayan na mga marine engineers at marine officers sa maritime industry (International shipping lines and companies have trust and confidence in the dedication of Filipino marine engineers and marine officers),” he said.

“If we push a little further, we might just become the center of maritime education in the world --just right here, in Mindanao. It may be an ambitious goal, but we are on the right path and if we work hard enough, we will surely achieve this,” he added.

He assured that the Duterte administration is supportive of the initiatives of MARINA that will help the country’s progress. He further assured MARINA of his support in achieving its mission for a vibrant maritime industry in Mindanao.

He said the administration’s support is manifested by the President’s issuance of Executive Order 63 on Sept. 21, 2018, which strengthens the authority of the MARINA as the Single Maritime Administration, ensuring the obligation of the Philippines under the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

The measure is designed to ensure the protection and competitiveness of Filipino seafarers. It also ascertains the continued employment of qualified seafarers around the world, he said. (PNA)