Marcos vows efficient maritime industry dev’t plan implementation

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. promises to implement the proposed Maritime Industry Development Plan 2028 (MIDP 2028) effectively once it is finalized. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday promised that as soon as the proposed Maritime Industry Development Plan 2028 (MIDP 2028) is finalized, it will be efficiently implemented.

“We are finalizing the MIDP 2028, making sure that it prioritizes the well-being of Filipino seafarers,” Marcos said in a Facebook post, mentioning the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) was tasked to develop the plan.

“Upon its immediate completion, we will guarantee effective project implementation and the international recognition for our seafarers’ qualifications,” he added.

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The MIDP included modernization and expansion of the country’s domestic and overseas shipping.

Marcos met with Marina administrator Sonia Bautista Malaluan on Wednesday to discuss the proposal. During their meeting, the President instructed the office to first standardize the Philippine maritime system before implementing its modernization.

“Let’s standardize our practices so that we will be the same with our international counterparts. We have to fix our house first. Because we have to compete and [to] do that, we should have an even playing field, and then we should gain an advantage,” Marcos said in the meeting, as quoted in a press release from Malacañang.

According to the Palace, the President observed that many of the rules and regulations in the country’s maritime industry are obsolete.

The President also emphasized the importance of promoting shipbuilding and repair during that meeting, the Palace noted.