MALAKING porsiyento ng kalakalan ng Pilipinas ay umuusad sa pamamagitan ng dagat, kaya malaki rin ang tungkulin ng shipping industry bilang nangungunang transportasyon ng mga produkto o tao.
Ito ang sinabi ni Engr. Emmanuel Carpio, Regional Director ng Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) 7 sa kaniyang mensahe sa ginanap na inagurasyon ng MV LTE Cat 2 ng Lite Shipping Corp. kamakailan sa Cebu.
“This makes shipping, this country’s primary goal an inter-island transportation and it translates to the shipping industry and sea transportation sector be in crucial to the nation’s development. In fact over 90% of the trade in the Philippines is moved by sea hence shipping is the main artery of transporting domestic goods and carrying people across nearer island,” ayon kay Engr. Emmanuel B. Carpio, Regional Director, MARINA 7.
Dahilan para maging first growth program ng MARINA sa kanilang Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) ang modernisasyon at ekspansyon sa domestic shipping.
“That in our updated Maritime Industry Development Plan or MIDP, the very first growth program is the modernization and expansion of the domestic shipping industry including the tourist destination areas as well as coastal and inland waterway transport systems. The program aims for the modernization and development of a strong and dynamic domestic shipping fleet that will provide safe and efficient inter-island trade routes stimulate local economies and develop new cruise routes and ports for tourism,” dagdag ni Engr. Carpio.
Pinasalamatan naman ni Vice President Sara Duterte na siyang panauhing pandangal sa inagurasyon ng Lite Shipping, ang pagtugon ng ahensiya sa panawagan ni President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. sa pag modernize sa domestic shipping sector bilang suporta sa MIDP ng kasalukuyang administrasyon.
“Thank you for heeding President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s call to modernize the domestic shipping sector and supporting the Maritime Industry Authority’s Maritime Industry Development Plan. I am confident that spending $12 million to give your customers a first-rate Ro-Ro experience is money well spent. The long-term benefits of upgrading to newer, safer, and more efficient inter-island connections far outweigh the initial investment in more expensive engines,” ayon kay VP Sara Duterte.
“Today, as we launch this world-class vessel, let us set our sights on the future. To Sun Line Shipping industries, congratulations on your journey. Cheers to more milestones in the future, I understand there are two more ships coming that are already being built as we speak. Let us build a stronger, more resilient, and truly modern Philippine nautical highway together,” dagdag ni VP Sara.
Ayon pa kay Lucio Lim, President at CEO ng Lite Ferries Corp., target nila na magkaroon ng ligtas, komportable at de kalidad na serbisyo sa sektor ng maritime travel sa bansa.
“This ship is design with you our valued passenger in mind the Lite 2 will revolutionize the journey between Cebu City and Tubigon, Bohol it is set to be the best daily Ro-Ro ferries service in the country and parallel in passenger comfort amenities and capacity. Our goal in this vessel is to set a new standard for maritime travel in our country, one that prioritizes safety, comfort, and the outmost quality in service,” ayon kay Lucio Lim, President CEO, Lite Ferries Corp.
Ang naturang MV Lite Cat 2 ay ginawa pa sa bansang Indonesia na may habang 71.4 meter na long coastwise Ro-Ro Catamaran Ferry na may gross rate tonnage na 1,547 at kayang maka-accommodate ng 453 na mga pasahero, 12 units na heavy trucks at 20 light vehicles o 60 mga kotse.
Bukod kay VP Sara, dumalo rin sa inagurasyon sina Senator Imee Marcos, Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, at iba pang mga opisyales ng Cebu City at Bohol.
