President Marcos Directs Marina to Standardize Philippine Maritime Industry for Global Benchmarking

President Marcos has directed the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to standardize the Philippine maritime industry to meet global benchmarks. In a briefing in Malacañan, Marcos told Marina chief Sonia Malaluan that many of the rules and operations in the maritime industry are obsolete due to the lack of a unified system governing the industry. He emphasized the need to provide a standardized system following international standards before implementing any proposed programs. He also stressed the importance of promoting a highly skilled Filipino maritime workforce.

During the briefing, Malaluan reported and sought Marcos’ approval on the proposed Maritime Industry Development Plan 2028 (MIDP 2028), which aims to build a robust and reliable Philippine Merchant Fleet, addressing the sea requirements of the country in support of the national development agenda. President Marcos compared the high cost of shipping in the country to other countries like Hong Kong, where shipping cargo to the Philippines from abroad is usually cheaper than locally. Malaluan cited the imposition of excise tax on fuel and the quality of the Philippines’ vessels as reasons behind the expensive domestic shipping. She also raised the need to change the current maritime policy to address the challenges in the industry.

Marina was created in June 1974 to integrate the Philippine maritime industry’s development, promotion, and regulation. Among the agency’s primary goals is to lead a progressive maritime administration that ensures the safety and security of life and property at sea, the protection of the marine environment, and the global competitiveness of the Filipino maritime workforce. President Marcos emphasized the need to standardize operations and practices in the maritime industry to address the challenges and implement proper programs.

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