Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) joined various government maritime agencies and private maritime stakeholders in a forum entitled “Port Digitalization and Modernization: Fueling our way to become an Asian Maritime Hub”, held at the Citadines Bay City Manila, Pasay City on March 30, 2023.
Organized by The Manila Times, the assembly firmly calls for full digitalization of the Philippine maritime industry to satisfy global demand for a modernized maritime hub.
Guest speakers from various maritime agencies shared their knowledge and ways forward to accelerate the integrated development of the Philippine maritime industry.
Atty. Mark Jon S. Palomar of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) shared the agency’s digital infrastructure projects that are aimed to provide seamless services in ports. During his talk, Atty. Palomar presented the PPA’s Digitalization Roadmap 2021-2023. He said that the PPA believes that digitalization is the way forward to provide real-time data in one platform, become paperless, and reduce time and cost while increasing transparency, cybersecurity, and market access.
On the other hand, Ms. Mary Ann Pastrana, Chairperson of the Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation, presented modernized services offered to their clients and stakeholders. Ms. Pastrana said that digitalization is what people want in an industry that is mostly driven by traditional business models. She noted the need for digital transformation and the incorporation of technological advancements to further challenge the status quo and promote cultural change.
Meanwhile, Ms. Nannette Z. Villamor-Dinopol, Deputy Administrator for Operations of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), presented the Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) 2028. Ms. Dinopol said that the Plan is consistent with the core principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations and the principle of “leaving no one behind” as well as the achievement of the long-term vision for the Filipinos to enjoy a strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life.
Ms. Dinopol believes that the support of the national government and the stakeholders on the implementation of the updated MIDP in the context of a whole-of-nation approach is one of the keys for the Philippines to become a maritime hub in Asia.
Finally, Atty. Brenda Pimentel of The Manila Times talked about how digitization and digitalization can be the key to making the Philippines a maritime hub and the challenges that the country might face along the way.
Representatives from the PFDA Central Office and Regional Fish Ports attended the forum.
(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division with photos from Erikah Mae D. Hesarza – OSD-RMPOD)