We are A Maritime Nation

By Karl Garcia

Former President Rodrigo Duterte has declared September as MaNaMo or Maritime Nation Month in 2017. 

We have a rich maritime history.

We have a rich maritime history. This can be exemplified by the types of boats documented and discovered throughout our rich history.

Our great rivers from North to Southhad been used for commerce and water transportation.

Cagayan River, Pampanga River, Pasig River[3] in Luzon. Ilo-ilo[4] in the Visayan and the Butuan  River in Mindanao have all been documented to be cradles of civilization and commerce.

https://www.scribd.com/presentation/501295024/Presentation-2

https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=5231

https://www.philstar.com/business/science-and-environment/2019/07/28/1938828/pasig-river-our-nations-lifeline

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agusan_River

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Grande_de_Mindanao

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The boats discovered through time can prove our vast maritime transportation and trade  and even for war.

Balangay of Butuan, Karakoa and Paraw of the Visayas, Vintas of Sulu.

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There were also discoveries of shipwrecks like the Pandanan, Lena Shoal, and Santa Cruz. Terrstrial Sites were also fiound in Tanjay, Cebu and Calatagan.

We all know of Building ships for the Manila Galleon Trade 

Also known as the Manila-Acapapulco trade.

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Fast forward the 20th Century

The Galleon trade left a mark exemplified by our present trade statistics with Mexico .

We had a humble navy with its fleet donated by rich citizens.

Later we had inherited ships from the Americans and some of the World War 2 vintage got extended lives until the 21st century.

Now, better late than never, we are modernizing our Navy and the rest of our Maritime security institutions like the PCG and PNP maritime.

Transportation was car centric.

We really lack mass transportation.

We do have ship transportation but most accidents are due to overloading. Meaning a lack of time management or a lack of vessels.

The Arroyo admin tried to revive the Nautical Hi way and the Maharlika Highway 

But the current admin is implementing the inter island bridges.

The question now is will it stifle the nautical high way program or synergize it.

Maritime Domain Awareness and the Blue Economy

“Maritime domain awareness is the effective understanding of anything associated with the maritime domain that could impact security, safety, the economy or the marine environment,” according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

For a country with such a rich Maritime  History  and Culture it is just right we citizens should be aware of our Maritime  Domain.

I have written maritime review about the elements of Maritime Domain and Blue Economy.

Maritime Security

Philippine Navy

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Philippine Coast Guard

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PNP Maritime 

Maritime Education and Training

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Seafaring

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Marine Environment

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Maritime Safety

Maritime Tourism

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Maritime Tourism is a major part of our blue economy but hopefully we will learn from some setbacks like what happened recently with welcoming 1500 filams in a cruise ship.

References for further reading

  1. https://maritimereview.ph/author/kgarcia/
  2. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-global-history/article/abs/manilamen-and-seafaring-engaging-the-maritime-world-beyond-the-spanish-realm/3A3FD82CEF8B860278AD1761FCB117FE
  3. https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/19/the-sea-and-the-filipino#google_vignette
  4. https://journals.openedition.org/moussons/3529?lang=en
  5. https://cmsw.mit.edu/from-the-sea-to-the-stars-the-forgotten-journeys-of-the-philippines-ancient-explorers/

Comments
51 Responses to “We are A Maritime Nation”
  1. Karl Garcia says:

    Hello folks, I wrote this article to remind us that the Philippines is a maritime and archipelagic nation and we have a rich history proving so.

    • LCPL_X says:

      i can’t post YouTube videos on WP’s new comment for some reason for awhile now but that video about coconuts and how austronesians ended up spreading thru the Pacific and to Madagascar is really good. and its all due to the coconut how hardy and portable and versatile the entire plant from leaves to trunk to its fruit. from south China to Taiwan then on to northern Luzon and supposedly austronesians came across the coconut whilst in the Philippines from there they just blew up. because of how the coconut nut floats and sprouts no one can pin point where it originated but for sure Austronesians and coconuts met in the Philippines. UP Diliman anthropology dept. might disagree here, i dunno they have a migration route that goes up Mindanao with Negritos way before who walked to the Philippines no bangkas or anything just walked. but it does elevate the coconut with Filipino maritime culture, my point here is i would expand it to the rest of the Pacific and to Madagascar. coconuts and big outriggers in the open ocean. So lets change the national fruit to Coconut, as much as I like mangoes when I saw how mangoes were dried in the open in Cebu with flies flying around and such i was grossed out but I still enjoy eating dried mangoes. and national tree should be the coconut tree. embrace maritime by embracing the coconut. thanks, karl.

      • LCPL_X says:

        that’s so weird the yt video link doesn’t load but when you press reply its there.

        • LCPL_X says:

          so the Negritos were already there hence the atiatihan festival with black face and such. but theres two proposed austronesian routes, maybe both happened at the same time who knows. but both from south China. whether coconuts were also discovered in the southern route who knows but for sure the jumping off point for Moana-like adventures kicked off from the Philippines. and they can connect that to coconuts.

  2. Micha says:

    Somewhat related, this article’s hoisted from Joe’s Twitter feed:

    https://thehill.com/homenews/4477848-matthews-isolationism-isnt-a-us-option/

    N.B. to admin:

    Hard to track comments when thread becomes too long. Could you please restore the comments roll? Danke.

    • Karl Garcia says:

      Thanks Micha. @giancarloangulo yung side bar comments, aside from notification comments.

    • Karl Garcia says:

      “The world is a much smaller place today, which makes isolationism more difficult. Just because we don’t want to interfere with other countries doesn’t mean they don’t want to interfere with us.”=also applicable to PH. Lahat na ata.

      • https://joeam.com/2020/09/14/philippines-from-the-edge-to-the-middle-of-things/ taking the maritime awareness challenge your father once put out in the radio seriously, I actually Googled sailing times across the Mediterranean and from Manila to Brunei or Manila to Hanoi or Manila to Canton – and found out that Manila to nearly anywhere outside the archipelago is about as far as Beirut to Cadiz, as Phoenicia to the Gates of Hercules in ancient terms.

        The article went on to show how the relative edge location not isolation (after all the day before Magellan arrived in Cebu, a Siamese aka Thai ship had been there) was gradually ended, first of all with the new Americas-Pacific trade which brought Spanish and American imperialism to the Philippines over time, and of course improved transport capabilities coupled with better weapons that had progressively longer range.

        A Siamese ship might have brought in a number of men who could fight Muay Thai, but the Cebuanos had their mano-a-mano fighting capabilities. Even cannons like Magellan had were a threat only in the deep port of Cebu. As Pigafetta noted, the beach on Mactan they landed on to attack Lapu-Lapu was on a shallow shoreline, so the village was out of artillery range.

        Legazpi came back, and Urdaneta discovered the tornaviaje, the way back to Mexico, and all Raja Tupas could say when he returned with reinforcements was “pastilan” and help the Spanish attack the Tagalogs in Manila. More pastilan when Manila became the capital.

        Manila was guarded by Corregidor for centuries, but Japan was the first nation to use air power the way it was intended to be used. In the Matrix, Trinity told Neo, “This has never been done before,” and he answered, “That is why it will work.” This applies to all new ways of attack. Pearl Harbor was exactly that and the attack on Clark just days later also benefitted from the US troops there not yet believing Pearl Harbor had happened and that “the Japs” had done it.

        Who was the first to put a runway on an island in the middle of the sea with many names? Makoy. Pag-asa Island. That place even has rusting anti-aircraft guns from the 1970s. If the Ottomans putting a stranglehold on the flow of Spices made European explorers set forth, now the sea with many names is where the oil supply of US allies Sokor and Japan passes through. China feels its coast is vulnerable is what chemrock told me when I sent him an early draft of my above article. “I shot first because I felt threatened” starts wars in many places on Earth.

        One more aspect I did not handle in my article but in others is that Filipinos were rounded up in the reduccion, tied to their barangays basically. There was a certain loss of awareness even of neighboring islands as interisland trade became something for colonialists and later mestizos. Possibly the mindset of both Spanish and American colonizers, not as maritime in mindset as their Portuguese, Dutch and British contemporaries, played a role in shaping Filipino mindset.

        Thanks Karl, your article is a timely wake-up call.

        • Karl Garcia says:

          Welcome and Thanks as well

          • I would add the old trade routes the Philippines was part of in the 1500s:

            1. The developing trade between the Indian Ocean and East Asia, for instance Manila as closely linked to Brunei and having Malay lantakas and Japanese katanas as weaponry. Many imported goods already in Manila.

            2. The Sultanate of Sulu as a hub of the Spice Trade between the Moluccas and Southern China, a link destroyed by Spanish conquest.

            Go further and you have Spain barely able to protect the Visayas against slave raids from the Sultanates of Mindanao, which had lost the spice business but had a good business selling people to the Dutch further south..

            ..UNTIL Gov. Claveria, yes the one who decreed Spanish surnames for Filipinos, sending in naval steamships and with the safety offered by naval steamships, Visayan ports and the plantation economy in Negros could grow.

            Or even further to the fact that Spain had no de facto power over a lot of Mindanao even if they still used lantakas for very long. Look up the story of German Captain Shück whose descendants are part of the Tausug upper class, and his connection to the Sultan of Sulu.. etc.

            • Or.. how the trade of old which was either being on a trade route like Manila and Sulu or at the center of local trade routes lime Cebu..

              ..changed via being again on a trade route between Mexico and China..

              ..to being MAINLY provider of raw or hardly value-added materials (sugar was at least milled, tobacco was sometimes rolled into cigars) and a consumer of imported goods – even as the book Raiding, Trading and Feasting shows how richer places in the Visayas had Chinese jewelry while others had Siamese and Annamese (cheaper) jewelry – and being less oriented towards trading with one’s own neighborhood though I lack statistics on the present.

    • JoeAm says:

      I put it back. Thanks for picking up that article on twitter. It rather shows the dilemma of being the US of A.

    • Karl Garcia says:

      Certainly! Let’s delve deeper into each aspect: Economic Impact of Illegal Fishing:

      Illegal fishing not only results in direct economic losses through unreported catches but also imposes indirect costs on the economy. These costs include lost tax revenue, reduced livelihood opportunities for fishers, and increased consumer prices due to decreased legal fish supplies. For example, the estimated annual loss of Php62 billion ($1.3 billion USD) represents a significant portion of the country’s GDP. This loss not only affects the national economy but also has cascading effects on local economies in coastal communities, where fishing is a primary source of income. Furthermore, the prevalence of illegal fishing perpetuates poverty and economic inequality among vulnerable populations, exacerbating social and economic disparities. Dependence on Marine Resources:

      The reliance of millions of Filipinos on the maritime sector underscores the sector’s critical importance for sustaining livelihoods and ensuring food security. Coastal communities, in particular, depend on marine resources for their economic well-being, cultural identity, and overall way of life. The employment opportunities provided by industries linked to the maritime sector further highlight its significance for the national economy. Therefore, effective maritime governance is imperative not only for protecting marine resources but also for safeguarding the livelihoods and economic prosperity of millions of Filipinos. Regional Cooperation Efforts:

      Collaborative initiatives at the regional level are essential for addressing complex maritime challenges that transcend national borders. By pooling resources, expertise, and capabilities, countries can enhance their collective capacity to respond to maritime security threats, environmental degradation, and natural disasters. For instance, joint patrols and information-sharing mechanisms can improve maritime domain awareness and facilitate coordinated responses to maritime incidents. Moreover, regional cooperation fosters trust and confidence among neighboring states, contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. Successful Resource Management:

      Highlighting successful examples of resource management initiatives can provide valuable insights into effective governance practices. Marine protected areas, for instance, demonstrate the benefits of ecosystem conservation and sustainable resource use. By involving local communities in decision-making processes and promoting alternative livelihood opportunities, these initiatives ensure the long-term viability of marine ecosystems while supporting the economic needs of coastal populations. Similarly, integrated coastal management approaches integrate environmental conservation, economic development, and social equity considerations to achieve sustainable outcomes. Addressing Corruption:

      Corruption undermines the effectiveness of maritime governance efforts by eroding trust, distorting incentives, and diverting resources away from critical priorities. Combatting corruption requires a multifaceted approach that includes enhancing transparency, strengthening accountability mechanisms, and promoting ethical conduct among public officials. Additionally, capacity building, technology adoption, and international cooperation can help improve law enforcement capabilities and enhance governance practices. By addressing corruption, governments can foster an environment conducive to sustainable maritime development and ensure that resources are utilized efficiently and equitably. Call to Action for Sustainable Maritime Future:

      A strong call to action is necessary to galvanize stakeholders and mobilize resources towards achieving a sustainable maritime future. This involves articulating a clear vision for maritime governance, setting achievable goals, and identifying concrete steps for implementation. It also entails engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector, to foster collaboration and collective action. Moreover, promoting public awareness and education can generate support for maritime conservation efforts and foster a culture of stewardship among citizens. Ultimately, by working together and taking decisive action, countries can build a brighter, more sustainable future for their maritime domains.

      By elaborating on these aspects, stakeholders can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with maritime governance in the Philippines and the broader region. This comprehensive perspective can inform policy decisions, guide resource allocation, and drive collective action towards achieving sustainable maritime development goals.

  3. Karl Garcia says:

    My articles for the Maritime Review.

    https://maritimereview.ph/author/kgarcia/

  4. Made Karl an editor as a risk mitigation and also a way to make posting still possible when work or life gets in the way.

    Thanks for accepting Karl.

    Now I need to get Irineo to accept editor role.

  5. LCPL_X says:

    “Maritime Tourism is a major part of our blue economy but hopefully we will learn from some setbacks like what happened recently with welcoming 1500 filams in a cruise ship.” probably stay away from Manila all together is the best solution here, karl.

  6. Karl Garcia says:

    Another draft produced by Chat gpt.

    A Sea in Peril, a Future to Protect: Safeguarding the Philippines’ Maritime Future

    Fellow Filipinos,

    The vast blue tapestry that surrounds our islands, the source of life and livelihood for millions, faces a rising tide of challenges. From rising sea levels swallowing our coasts to unsustainable fishing practices depleting our bounty, the very foundation of our maritime future is at stake. But amidst these daunting threats, hope beckons. We stand at a crossroads, and the path we choose will define the fate of our communities, our economy, and our irreplaceable blue heart.

    Imagine your children playing on beaches eroded by rising tides, or fishermen returning with empty nets in once-teeming waters. This is not a distant future, but a stark reality unfolding before our eyes. Each year, sea levels rise, displacing families and jeopardizing coastal communities. Unsustainable fishing practices deplete fish stocks, threatening food security and the livelihoods of millions. Illegal activities like piracy and smuggling undermine regional stability and hinder economic prosperity.

    But let us not be blinded by fear. Within these challenges lie the seeds of opportunity. Imagine vibrant coastal communities thriving with responsible tourism, empowered to adapt to changing environments. Picture fish stocks replenished through responsible practices, securing food security for generations to come. Envision a flourishing blue economy, attracting investments, generating sustainable jobs, and contributing to national growth.

    This is the future we can choose. By embracing effective maritime governance, we can secure a brighter tomorrow for ourselves and future generations. This is not just an option, but an investment:

    • In our people: Protecting coastal communities, securing livelihoods, and fostering equitable development for all Filipinos who depend on the sea.
    • In our planet: Implementing sustainable practices to safeguard precious ecosystems, ensuring their benefits for generations to come.
    • In our prosperity: A thriving blue economy generates revenue, attracts investments, and fuels national growth.

    We urge our leaders at all levels to take bold action:

    Commit to concrete solutions: Prioritize data-driven decision making, invest in cutting-edge technology like coastal observation systems, and empower communities through capacity-building programs.

    Mobilize resources: Allocate the necessary budget, personnel, and technology to translate vision into reality.

    Champion collaboration: Partner with communities, stakeholders, and regional partners to cultivate shared solutions and leverage collective expertise.

    Inspire collective action: Promote public awareness, empower citizens to embrace responsible maritime practices, and encourage participation in initiatives like clean-up drives and sustainable seafood choices.

    The Philippines’ maritime destiny awaits. Let us choose the path of sustainability, collaboration, and action. Together, we can secure a thriving future for our communities, our economy, and our irreplaceable blue heart. Remember, this is not just their future, it’s ours. Let’s act now, for the sea that cradles us, and for the generations to come.

    Additional notes:

    • This draft includes a map showcasing the Philippines’ maritime territory and specific areas facing challenges.
    • Success stories of communities thriving with sustainable practices are featured with testimonials.
    • Potential concerns like economic impacts are addressed with reassurances about long-term benefits and transition support.
    • The call to action offers specific ways individuals and stakeholders can participate.

    I hope this draft empowers you to take action and inspire others to join the fight for a brighter maritime future for the Philippines. Remember, your voice and actions matter!

  7. Karl Garcia says:

    ## The Philippines: A Nation Defined by the Sea – A White Paper on Maritime Governance and Development

    ### Executive Summary:

    The Philippines, an archipelago nation comprised of over 7,000 islands, has a long and rich maritime history deeply intertwined with its cultural identity, economic prosperity, and national security. However, navigating the complexities of the 21st century requires a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to maritime governance. This white paper delves into various aspects of the Philippines’ maritime domain, exploring its historical significance, current challenges, and potential solutions. It examines critical areas like maritime security and defense, marine environment protection, the blue economy, ocean governance, maritime safety, education and training, maritime labor, national marine policy, climate change, and maritime administration. By providing a holistic understanding of these interconnected elements, the paper aims to stimulate constructive dialogue and propose actionable recommendations for sustainable and responsible maritime development in the Philippines.

    ### 1. Philippine Maritime History:

    The Philippines boasts a vibrant maritime history dating back centuries. From the pre-colonial era, Filipinos displayed exceptional seafaring skills, engaging in extensive trade and cultural exchange with neighboring regions. The archipelago’s strategic location served as a vital crossroads, facilitating the movement of goods, ideas, and people across Southeast Asia. Spanish colonization in the 16th century further emphasized the importance of maritime trade and defense, leading to the establishment of Manila as a major port city. The struggle for independence in the 19th century also highlighted the crucial role of maritime power in national sovereignty. Understanding this historical context is essential for appreciating the deep-rooted connection between the Philippines and its maritime environment.

    ### 2. Philippine Maritime Security and Defense:

    Ensuring maritime security and defense is paramount for the Philippines’ territorial integrity, economic well-being, and national security. The vastness of the archipelago, coupled with maritime borders shared with multiple countries, presents unique challenges. These include:

    – Territorial disputes: Unresolved maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a significant security concern.

    – Transnational threats: Piracy, illegal fishing, and human trafficking require robust countermeasures.

    – Limited resources: The Philippine Navy and Coast Guard face constraints in terms of equipment, personnel, and infrastructure.

    Addressing these challenges necessitates:

    – Modernization of maritime forces: Investing in advanced technology, vessels, and personnel training.

    – Strengthening regional cooperation: Collaborating with neighboring countries to combat shared threats.

    – Prioritizing maritime domain awareness: Enhancing surveillance and intelligence capabilities.

    ### 3. Marine Environment Protection:

    The Philippines’ rich marine biodiversity faces numerous threats, including:

    – Overfishing: Unsustainable fishing practices deplete fish stocks and disrupt marine ecosystems.

    – Pollution: Plastic waste, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff contaminate coastal and marine environments.

    – Habitat destruction: Coastal development and destructive fishing practices damage coral reefs and mangrove ecosystems.

    Protecting the marine environment requires:

    – Enforcing existing regulations: Implementing stricter measures to combat illegal fishing and pollution.

    – Promoting sustainable fishing practices: Encouraging responsible fishing methods and alternative livelihoods for coastal communities.

    – Investing in marine protected areas: Establishing and effectively managing marine reserves to conserve biodiversity.

    ### 4. Blue Economy:

    The blue economy encompasses the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth and development. The Philippines has immense potential in various blue economy sectors, including:

    – Fisheries and aquaculture: Promoting sustainable fishing practices and responsible aquaculture development.

    – Marine tourism: Developing sustainable tourism models that minimize environmental impact.

    – Marine renewable energy: Harnessing the potential of ocean energy sources like wind and waves.

    Unlocking this potential requires:

    – Investing in research and development: Supporting innovation in sustainable blue economy technologies.

    – Building capacity and skills: Equipping coastal communities with the necessary skills and knowledge to participate in the blue economy.

    – Developing a regulatory framework: Establishing clear and comprehensive policies to guide sustainable blue economy development.

    ### 5. Ocean Governance:

    Effective ocean governance is crucial for ensuring the responsible use of marine resources and addressing emerging challenges. The Philippines is actively involved in various international and regional frameworks for ocean governance, including:

    – The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): Providing a legal framework for the use of oceans and seas.

    – The Regional Seas Programme: Facilitating regional cooperation on marine environment protection.

    – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Promoting regional cooperation on maritime issues.

    Strengthening ocean governance necessitates:

    – Implementing existing agreements: Ensuring effective compliance with international and regional commitments.

    – Enhancing stakeholder participation: Engaging diverse stakeholders, including civil society and local communities, in decision-making processes.

    – Promoting knowledge sharing and capacity building: Collaborating with other countries to share best practices and expertise in ocean governance.

    ### 6. Maritime Governance:

    Effective maritime governance encompasses all aspects of managing human activities at sea, aiming to ensure safety, security, sustainability, and equitable access to marine resources.

    **Continued in next message:**

    ### 6. Maritime Governance (continued):

    In the Philippines, key areas of maritime governance include:

    – **Maritime Safety:**

      – Implementing and enforcing international maritime regulations to prevent accidents and pollution at sea.

      – Ensuring the safety of navigation through proper infrastructure, navigational aids, and search and rescue capabilities.

      – Promoting a culture of safety among seafarers through training and awareness programs.

    – **Maritime Education and Training:**

      – Developing a robust maritime education and training system to meet the growing demand for skilled seafarers.

      – Upgrading existing training facilities and curriculum to equip seafarers with the necessary knowledge and skills for safe and efficient operations.

      – Promoting gender equality in the maritime workforce by encouraging women to pursue seafaring careers.

    – **Maritime Labor:**

      – Ensuring the rights and well-being of Filipino seafarers working on board international vessels, complying with international labor conventions.

      – Addressing issues of unfair labor practices, exploitation, and piracy.

      – Promoting decent work conditions and social protection for seafarers.

    – **National Marine Policy:**

      – Establishing a comprehensive national marine policy that provides a clear vision and framework for sustainable maritime development.

      – Integrating maritime considerations into national development plans and strategies.

      – Ensuring coherence and coordination among different government agencies involved in maritime affairs.

    ### 7. Climate Change and Sea Level Rise:

    The Philippines is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, particularly sea level rise and extreme weather events. These pose significant threats to:

    – Coastal communities: Increased flooding, erosion, and saltwater intrusion threaten livelihoods and infrastructure.

    – Marine ecosystems: Rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification disrupt marine biodiversity and ecosystem services.

    – Maritime security: Changing weather patterns and extreme events can exacerbate maritime security challenges.

    Addressing these challenges requires:

    – Investing in climate adaptation and mitigation measures: Building coastal defenses, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, and transitioning to clean energy sources.

    – Enhancing disaster preparedness and risk reduction: Strengthening early warning systems, improving evacuation plans, and building community resilience.

    – Integrating climate considerations into maritime planning and decision-making.

    ### 8. Maritime Administration:

    The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) serves as the lead agency responsible for regulating and promoting the development of the Philippine maritime industry. Its key functions include:

    – Registration and licensing of vessels and seafarers.

    – Development and enforcement of maritime safety and pollution prevention regulations.

    – Promoting maritime education and training.

    Strengthening maritime administration requires:

    – Enhancing institutional capacity: Ensuring MARINA has the necessary resources, expertise, and infrastructure to effectively fulfill its mandate.

    – Promoting transparency and accountability: Fostering good governance practices within the maritime sector.

    – Streamlining administrative processes: Simplifying regulations and procedures to improve efficiency.

    ### 9. Conclusion:

    The Philippines’ maritime future is inextricably linked to its ability to navigate the complex challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. By adopting a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to maritime governance, the Philippines can ensure the sustainable use of its marine resources, safeguard its national security, and unlock the vast potential of its blue economy. This white paper has explored various aspects of maritime governance in the Philippines, highlighting key challenges and proposing actionable recommendations. By fostering collaborative efforts among government, civil society, the private sector, and the international community, the Philippines can chart a course towards a prosperous and sustainable maritime future.

    ### 10. Recommendations:

    – Develop and implement a comprehensive national maritime strategy.

    – Increase investment in maritime security and defense.

    – Prioritize marine environmental protection.

    – Promote the development of the blue economy.

    – Strengthen ocean governance.

    – Modernize maritime education and training.

    – Ensure the rights and well-being of Filipino seafarers.

    – Adapt to climate change and sea level rise.

    – Strengthen maritime administration.

    ### 11. Tourism, Ship Building, Ship Recycling, and Ship Leasing:

    While not directly related to the core aspects of maritime governance covered in this white paper, these topics are relevant to the broader maritime economy of the Philippines.

    ### 12. References:

    This section should include a comprehensive list of all sources referenced throughout the white paper, including those related to tourism, ship building, ship recycling, and ship leasing.

     **Additional Notes:**

    – This white paper provides a comprehensive overview of various aspects of maritime governance in the Philippines. It is recommended to further research specific topics of interest for a deeper understanding.

    – The recommendations outlined in the paper offer a starting point for further discussion and collaborative action towards achieving sustainable and responsible maritime development in the Philippines.

    By fostering a holistic approach to maritime governance, the Philippines can navigate the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for its people and its maritime environment.

    • kasambahay says:

      such sad reminder for the man at the top is edsa. a blotch in the family history. the more edsa is commemorated the more he is reminded. no worries though, he’ll console himself with another overseas travel and drowned himself more in pledges. ah, his cup runneth over.

  8. OT once more: British vlogger Mergim visits Albay:

  9. Micha says:

    OT

    Hard to believe that Rigoberto Tiglao was once a leftie but is now an unapologetic apologist of the Marcoses.

    https://rigobertotiglao.com/2024/02/23/six-facts-about-edsa-you-didnt-know-2/

    • kasambahay says:

      hubba, bubba, the man may have taken off where maharlika had left. allegedly, there are journalists that profits by spreading disinformation, lalo na if the price includes ample travel overseas and big time invite to parties attended by who’s who of top echelons, fooder for bent thoughts. 

      apparently, in the quest for respectability, many have been left behind, hence walang laglagan! pero nalaglag, join at your own peril, such duplicity. I wont be surprised if the man is now a signee, his name ‘gracing’ the pages of people’s initiative vs the constitution.

      • Karl Garcia says:

        Some pinoy pundits are questioning our Coast transparency initiatives that ot was from the dictates of Ray Polling.

        • Karl Garcia says:

          Coast guard

          • kasambahay says:

            our coastguard gotta be more creative now. it is alleged that for 4yrs china has been using electronic gadgets to jam our coastguard’s communication each time na pumalaot ang coastguard natin sa west phil sea on resupply mission. and yet, the two parties were able to trade barbs? get out our eez! no you get out our eez! you are tresspassing! no you are the one tresspassing!

  10. LCPL_X says:

    read and weep, Micha. read and weep. only Bitcoin can hedge this. Biden’s already too late. while Trump’s selling shoes. maybe Newsom’s open to CBDC fast-tracked. game over, man. game over.

    • Karl Garcia says:

      LCX, as China would say: That is provokation and escalation of tensions the difference is their’s is fake news. Let us avoid the familiarity breeds contempt thing here.

  11. Karl Garcia says:

    Double Whammy in our Canals. Houthi/Iran terrorism in Suez and Drought in Panama

    https://unctad.org/press-material/disruptions-key-global-shipping-route-suez-canal-panama-canal-and-black-sea-signal

  12. Somewhat OT but hugely intriguing.. The Sea Peoples..

    The Bronze Age Collapse they brought about or were a part of just like Goths and others were part of the collapse of Western Rome are also part of a theory that every civilization or every era reaches its peak and then collapses.. though someone always survives and as Eastern Rome survived the collapse of Western Rome, Egypt survived the cataclysm of the 13th century BC..

    If indeed Western society is in a process of collapse, is it a long process just like the demise of Western Rome or Imperial China something that takes generations and how far along are we? Probably we won’t be here to find out what future historians write about our age..

    • NHerrera says:

      Probably. But there is a guy from the metaphorical “Modern Rome” who may hasten that collapse in your lifetime, Irineo — young as you still are.

  13. NHerrera says:

    OT

    “Politicians don’t run out of reasons to continue their campaign despite great odds; they run out of resources/ donors/ money.”

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