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NEDA chief: 'Bright future' for maritime studies graduates


Despite the problems that plague the maritime industry, a Cabinet official expects a “bright future" for the graduates of Philippine maritime studies as the industry has a promising outlook. In his speech early this week at the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies’ graduation ceremonies, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director-general Cayetano Paderanga Jr. told graduates the country’s economic gains in 2010 will fortify the maritime sector this year, which in turn will widen their opportunities. Paderanga also projected a boost in the country’s status as a global supplier of seafarers. “At present, the Philippines is the second top supplier of seafarers in the world with only China ahead of us while India comes third," he said in the speech NEDA released Thursday. “Future projections indicate that there will be a big rise in demand for seafarers, and the Philippines is trying to keep up with the demand," Paderanga added. He also expressed optimism in improving the country’s position in the area of shipbuilding, saying the Philippines “is also doing well" in this. Paderanga cited statistics from the Department of Trade and Industry that show the Philippines ranks fifth in the world’s shipbuilding industry — accounting for 2 percent of the total market. “With good management and skilled human resource matched with capital, technology and global market opportunities, the industry is moving forward to make the Philippines the fourth largest shipbuilding country in the world in the next five to 10 years," he said. “Have no fear," Paderanga told the graduates. “This global competition can be fun, exciting, and rewarding, too." Maritime disasters Challenges however remain, Paderanga noted. “We all know that countless lives have been lost at sea. One of the worst maritime disasters in the country is that of the MV Princess of Stars that capsized off the coast of Sibuyan Island in 2008," he explained. Other problems include the state of the country’s passenger ships, according to a report on GMA News TV’s “State of the Nation" newscast. In its segment called “GMA News Investigates," the newscast said that the Philippines has turned out to be a dumping ground of the world’s second-hand ships. Paderanga, on the other hand, said the government is on its way to improving the state of maritime safety and security in the country. “To avoid sea accidents and to be able to respond to global challenges, we need to address transport safety and security issues in the country, as well as produce competent seafarers," he said. Paderanga noted measures such as addressing the overlapping and conflicting functions of the transport and other concerned agencies “by restructuring port institutions as well as the rail and air transport organizations." He said the government also plans to establish “a separate and independent regulator that will have jurisdiction over all airports, seaports and railways. “To improve the country’s business environment and attract more investors, government with the private sector shall address investor confidence by giving priority to key concerns that includes domestic shipping," Paderanga added. —VS, GMA News

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