Bautista orders maritime agencies under DOTr to align policies towards environment protection
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime J. Bautista ordered all agencies under the department to align its policies and programs in protecting the country’s marine environment and resources.
Bautista said coordination and cooperation with non-government agencies are also needed to further boost the protection of Philippine marine resources amid persistent reports of marine environmental degradation in the country.
“The Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority, and Philippine Ports Authority should calibrate projects that impact the marine environment,” Bautista said during the launch of the Mangroves Photo Exhibit at the National Museum of Natural History.
The three agencies are all under the DOTr.
“Everyone has a stake in this. We are the biggest stakeholders in the endeavor. We share that responsibility for the sake of future generations,” he added.
Bautista explained that all projects should be supportive of the Blue Economy under the Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) 2028 which includes transport safety and security, environmental sustainability, digitalization, domestic and overseas shipping industries, maritime workforce, and administration governance system.
The maritime blueprint, he said, is also expected to establish a system that will help lessen the effects of natural and man-made eventualities, while preparing contingencies for the sector.