Through the spearheading of its FAB Enterprise Department – Ports Services Division (PSD), the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), in partnership with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), conducted a Maritime Lecture to discuss maritime related issues and concerns last 08 July 2019 at the AFAB Administration Building, FAB, Mariveles, Bataan.

Facilitated by MARINA Chief of the Operations and Monitoring Division Enforcement Services Galileo M. Garcia, the lecture focused on MARINA’s Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) for 2019-2028, a ten-year roadmap of the agency for the Philippine Maritime Industry guided by the Philippine Development Plan for 2017 to 2022, Ambisyon Natin 2040, Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and other similar International Maritime commitments of the Philippine Government.

The eight (8) flagship programs under the MIDP prioritizes projects that include development of shipping services for maritime tourism, development of a coastal and inland waterways transport system and development of the Philippines as a global maritime hub.

In his opening remarks, Chairman and Administrator Emmanuel D. Pineda emphasized the importance of such events in capacitating the concerned personnel with knowledge and skills that shall allow them to be at-par with the best of the best. “We do believe that skills development, knowledge sharing, and capacity building is as solid as any core anyone could have, and that is why we would like to equip, not only the AFAB personnel but all our stakeholders with such knowledge and capability to be able to ensure their effectiveness”, he added.

Also discussed during the lecture are the maritime laws and policies, enhancement of Philippine Registry’s competitiveness, modernization of the Philippine domestic shipping industry, future challenges of in the maritime industry and other relevant issues and concerns.

To close the lecture, Deputy Administrator for Operations Alewijn Aidan K. Ong expressed that the AFAB welcomes partnership with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and extended the Agency’s willingness to spearhead and carry out maritime related programs in the future.

MARINA is a government agency under the Department of Transportation (DOTr) responsible for integrating the development, regulation and promotion of the maritime industry in the Philippines.

AFAB