The Maritime Industry Authority Regional Office VIII (MARINA RO8), together with MARINA Central Office – Shipyard Regulation Service (SRS), and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) Central Office and its branches in Region VIII, conducted a virtual meeting on 04 September 2023, to address issues and concerns relative to the modernization of ships pursuant to MARINA Circular No. 2016-02 affecting Boatbuilders and Shipowners/Operators in the region.
Presentations during the meeting included 1) Updates on the Ship/Boat Building in Eastern Visayas by Engr. Ivorre Francisco, 2) Updates on the Modernization Program pursuant to MC 2016-02 by Ms. Mildred Camino, and 3) “Cruise” by Ms. Raquel Anzures.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between MARINA and DBP on the scope of the financial package extended to maritime stakeholders particularly in Region VIII has yet to be discussed. A further meeting with stakeholders is in the offing. It is noted that the objective of the MOA is to provide a framework for partnership arrangement between MARINA and DBP for the purpose of providing financial assistance which will promote, develop and foster sustainable and progressive maritime industry.
The said framework turned out to be the highlight of the meeting including the need to provide incentives and/or subsidy to our boatbuilders and shipowners/operators similar to that provided to the Land Transportation Sector.
Other important discussion centered also on the request of MARINA for DBP to provide sample computation of the monthly amortization of loans including interests to answer the concerns of maritime stakeholders relative to affordability concerns of the package and their capability to pay.
The meeting concluded on a positive note with the end in view of reinforcing the MARINA’s modernization program and the DBP’s Cruise Program.
Presided by SRS Dir. Engr. Ramon Hernandez, in attendance to the meeting were representatives from MARINA MCO and RO8, Ms. Anzures of DBP Central Office, Atty. Janet Dacillo of DBP Tacloban Lending Center, and participating officials from other DBP branches in the region.