Cebu-based Philippine Coastwise Shipping Association, the country’s largest shipping group, has expressed its all-out support to the Maritime Safety Summit for Domestic Shipping organized recently by the Department of Transportation.
Themed “Creating a Culture of Safer People, Safer Ships and Cleaner Environment,” the summit discussed government-private sector collaboration in ensuring the safety of the domestic shipping industry, to ensure stakeholder participation in identifying measures to address the challenges.
Formed in June, PCSA committed its partnership with maritime transport officials in creating a culture of safer people, safer ships and cleaner environment.
It sent the biggest delegation with 18 members coming from the Philippine RORO Operators Association (Philroro), the Visayan Association of Ferry Boat and Coastwise Ship-owners Operators (Vafasco), and the United Trampers Association of the Philippines.
Its officers were inducted recently by its chairperson emeritus, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The summit was supported by DOTr’s attached maritime sector agencies Philippine Ports Authority, the Philippine Coast Guard, and Maritime Industry Authority, which presented the roadmap for maritime safety enhancement and ship safety process, which covers vessel acquisition, deployment, and retirement.
According to PSCA chairman Lucio Lim Jr. of Lite Ferries Corp, the Cebu-based group aims to unify ship owners and operators for a policy framework for modernization, adherence to safety and service standards, and strengthening government and private sector cooperation.
He said the new alliance will boost inter-island travel and domestic tourism, as people are encouraged to explore other places in Visayas and Mindanao, a sentiment echoed by local governments and business chambers in the south.
Attending the summit were PCSA Board of Trustees members Andiford Chua and Asford Chua, Marina administrator Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson, Jr., PCSA President Paul Rodriguez, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, PCSA chairman Lucio Lim Jr., PCSA vice president for cargo shipping Benson Go, PCSA treasurer Pio Serafin Fulache, and PPA general manager Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago.
