By Aerol John Pateña/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on Tuesday lauded the Japanese government for its assistance to ensure a modern maritime industry in the Philippines.
MARINA officer-in-charge, Administrator Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr., said the latest technologies and innovations being offered by Japan will ensure the implementation of its 10-year maritime industry development program (MIDP).
“We truly appreciate the commitment of Japan in engaging with us in the maritime industry such as education, local shipbuilding, and repair. With its latest technologies and strategies, Japan has been offering the Philippines with sufficient machinery, technical skills and effective solutions to problems in our maritime industry,” Vingson said during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Japan Ship Machinery and Equipment Association (JSMEA) in Pasay City.
Under the MOU, the JSMEA will provide training by next year as part of initiatives to strengthen the maritime industry of the Philippines and Japan.
“We are confident that this cooperation agreement will aid us in building a solid shipbuilding and ship repair industry which will generate jobs for Filipinos, opportunities, and partnerships for investment among Filipinos and Japanese and provide readily available quality materials for local shipbuilding,” Vingson said.
JSMEA chairman Shinzo Yamada said the signing of the MOU will further enhance the relationship between the Philippines and Japan.
“We will supply the latest technical innovations on Japanese ship machinery and equipment. We are hoping that we will be able to contribute to your growth in the maritime industry in the Philippines,” Yamada said.
Various Japanese government agencies have committed to support the MARINA in strengthening the local shipbuilding and ship repair industry.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has extended its technical assistance and expertise to MARINA in developing a standard design for locally made ships, in establishing the Philippines’ first-ever maritime industrial hub, and in setting up a financing facility for local shipbuilders and ship owners.
JICA also expressed its support for the implementation of MARINA’s 10-year MIDP which serves as the blueprint in making the local shipbuilding and ship repair industry globally-competitive and technologically-responsive by 2028.
Last February, MARINA signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism of Japan (MLIT) and the Seamen’s Employment Center of Japan (SECOJ) to continue giving training courses to Filipino maritime instructors.
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