President Marcos Jr. has approved the adoption of the 10-year Maritime Industry Development Plan 2028 (MIDP) which aims to help the Philippines fully realize its potential as a maritime nation.
The President, through Executive Order No. 55 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on February 8, said “the country requires a clearly defined and coordinated roadmap that shall accelerate the integrated development of the Philippine Maritime Industry.”
Marcos said through the MIDP, the county hopes to establish a strong and reliable Philippine Merchant Fleet that addresses sea transport requirements in support of national development and consistent with the country’s “AmBisyon Natin 2024”.
The President directs all government agencies and instrumentalities to align and harmonize their policies and courses of action to ensure the effective implementation of the MIDP.
Under the MIDP, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Board shall adopt a system for the effective implementation, monitoring and review of the roadmap and its component programs.
These include the modernization and expansion of domestic shipping and promotion of the shipbuilding and ship repair industry; expansion of the overseas shipping industry; promotion of highly-skilled and competitive maritime workforce; enhancement of maritime transport safety and security; and promotion of environmentally sustainable maritime industry.
It also includes the 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 (TB), composed of Marina Board representatives with ranks not lower than an assistant secretary or its equivalent, is created to assist the board in implementing, monitoring, updating and reviewing the program.
The Marina Board may create technical working groups (TWG) based on the component programs identified in the MIDP, consisting of representatives of agencies and instrumentalities with relevant mandates.
Representatives to the TWGs shall have a rank not lower than that of a director or its equivalent.
The MIDP TB and TWGs shall meet every quarter, or as frequently as may be deemed necessary by the Marina administrator or the Marina Board.
