DAVAO CITY — Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Saturday urged seafarers to explore new routes in order to open more opportunities for the country’s marine industry.
“Hinihimok ko po kayo na pag-aralan ang pagbubukas ng mga bagong ruta para sa ating mga barko upang mas mapabilis ang paggalaw at pagpapadala ng kargamento (I encourage all of you to study the possibility of opening new routes for our ships to speed up the freight delivery),” Go said in his speech during the Mindanao Maritime Industry Forum held here today.
“Isang posibilidad rin ang pag-sasaayos ng mga proseso para mas mapaikli ang oras ng paglalakbay kapag sasakay ng barko ang ating mga kababayan at kargamento papunta sa ibang isla at kahit sa ibang bansa (One of the possibilities is the improvement of the process to shorten the sea travel time of fellowmen or freight deliveries to another island or country),” he added.
Go said improvements on maritime routes will result in our nation’s development.
“Sa paraang ito, mas mapalalakas din natin ang turismo at mapabibilis ang progreso sa iba’t ibang parte ng Pilipinas (Through this, it will strengthen our tourism in the country and will also expedite the progress throughout the nation),” he said.
The forum highlighted and explored more of Mindanao with respect to its maritime industry development.
It primarily discussed on maritime safety, security and environmental protection.
Go was instrumental in the signing of Executive Order No. 63 by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Sept. 21, 2018, which sought to strengthen the authority of the Marine Industry Authority (MARINA) as the Single Maritime Administration, ensuring the obligations of the Philippines under the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.
The presidential assistant said the government is ready to allot enough funds for the betterment of infrastructures that would benefit the maritime industry.
Duterte’s aide also encouraged the seafarers to put their full trust and support to the 3-point campaign against corruption, crime, and illegal drugs of the Duterte administration for their investment and business’ safety. (OSAP PR)
