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MALACAÑANG has expressed full support for a proposal to
create a separate department for the maritime sector,
which includes Filipino seafarers abroad who send cash
home, helping spur the Philippines’ economic growth.
Besides
reviving efforts previously undertaken by some
legislators, the move, once approved, may lead to the
reorganization of the Department of Transportation and
Communications (DOTC) and agencies such as the
Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), which manages over a
hundred facilities, and the Maritime Industry Authority
(Marina), the country’s shipping industry regulator.
Feliciano G. Salonga, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
chairman, told BusinessMirror Wednesday that President
Arroyo has already instructed the maritime industry and
its allied businesses to unite and lobby for the
creation of the department.
“I think
the Cabinet Secretaries will not disagree anymore
because President Arroyo herself gave her approval,”
said Salonga, who heads the Central Luzon economic zone
that has an international airport, a shipbuilding
facility and a seaport. He added that the industry is
already preparing its lobbying initiatives.
Efforts
to establish a maritime-affairs department dates back to
1998, when former President Estrada assumed office. In
2001, when President Arroyo became Chief Executive, the
measure was proposed again but was shelved since some
Cabinet members disagreed with the idea.
According to Salonga, many officials are not inclined to
allow the maritime industry to have its own department
for fear that it will usurp the authority of some
transport agencies.
Although
Marina’s duties, among others, cover training of
seafarers, its powers have been limited since it shares
the same responsibility with the Department of Labor and
Employment and the Commission on Higher Education, an
office under the Department of Education.
In 2006
congressional committees on government reorganization
and transportation filed several measures seeking to
reform the Philippines’ maritime industry. All bills
were shelved as a result of the May 2007 elections.
These
proposed laws include House Bill 622, which seeks to
institute a Maritime Code of the
Philippines.
Once enacted, the bill will not only rectify many
problems affecting the sector, it will also push for the
creation of the Philippine Maritime Commission, as an
attached agency under the DOTC.
Once
established, the commission would be the lead agency in
charge of planning and coordination of maritime
transportation and supervision of maritime business and
ocean affairs.
Meanwhile, House Bills 883 and 2197 both intend to
create a Department of Maritime Affairs. This will be
tasked to establish and administer integrated programs
related to the promotion, development and regulation of
the country’s ports, shipping, shipbuilding and
seafaring industries; promotion of maritime safety;
protection of marine environment and resources; and
training and development of the country’s seafarers and
merchant marines. |
