PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to craft a development plan for the maritime and aviation sectors to aid the country’s economic recovery and provide livelihood to Filipinos, Office of the Press Secretary Undersecretary and officer-in-charge Atty. Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil said on Tuesday.
“Iniutos ni Pangulong Marcos ang pagbuo ng isang maritime industry development plan upang mapaunlad at mapalawig ang mga industriya ng maritime at aviation sector, kasama diyan ang pag-utos din ng Pangulo na ayusin ang ports upang mas marami pang cruise ships na makadaong dito para ma-boost din ang ating tourism industry,” Garafil said during a press briefing.
“Inutusan din niya ang Marina na i-address ang problema ukol sa mga eskuwelahan na hindi nagko-comply sa educational quality standards base sa international requirements at guidelines,” Garafil added.
According to Garafil, the President also wants the DOTr to address the issues regarding ship boarding requirements for maritime students and upgrade school competencies and training programs to align them with international standards.
Doing so would enable the country to maintain its status as the leading supplier of seafarers in the world, she said.
With regard to the aviation sector, Garafil said the President ordered the DOTr to prioritize the upgrade of the Manila airport to meet the growing passenger demand.
“Kasama rin diyan ang pag-aaral sa mga existing unsolicited proposals para i-modernize ang mga existing airports at i-upgrade ito at magtayo ng mga bagong airports sa iba’t ibang lugar sa bansa,” she said.
During the grand opening of the New Terminal Building of the Clark International Airport in Clark Freeport in Pampanga last week, Marcos underscored the need to improve such facilities in order to boost the Philippine tourism industry.
The government, he said, has plans to improve the airports in Manila and its surrounding areas, adding, however, that regional airports must be opened to serve as gateways for incoming tourists.
The President presided over the 11th Cabinet meeting in Malacañang on Tuesday.
