MANILA – The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is calling on legislators for the passage of the Shipbuilding and Ship Repair (SBSR) Development Bill that seeks to attract more investments in the sector.
In a statement Friday, MARINA chief Sonia Malaluan said the SBSR bill, part of the broader Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) 2028, would grant more incentives to the SBSR sector to attract more investments.
“We are actively seeking champions to ensure this bill is certified as a priority by the President in the 20th Congress,” Malaluan said.
She said the MIDP 2028 seeks to modernize and expand the capabilities of shipyards to meet both local and international sea transport demands while creating more jobs and increasing investments in the local economy.
According to MARINA’s SBSR assessment report in 2021, local shipyards currently can build ships for domestic use up to an average of 1,000 gross tons.
In April, the 3rd National Shipyards Convention signed a resolution focusing on legislation, research and development, capability and capacity building, and workforce development in the SBSR sector.
As part of its push for modernization in the country’s maritime sector, MARINA has partnered with the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development to lead the country towards new research directions in the maritime industry.
The partnership recently led to the demonstration of the Safe, Efficient, and Sustainable Solar-Assisted Plug-In Electric Boat at the Manila Yacht Club in February. (PNA)
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