Academicians have strongly emphasized the urgent need for a manpower development strategy in the maritime sector and the Philippine shipbuilding industry to maintain the country’s competitiveness and support the growth of its blue economy.
This was highlighted on March 28, 2028, during the “Strengthening Philippines-France Cooperation for a Sustainable Blue Economy” forum, part of the Blue Talk series organized by the think tank Stratbase Institute.
Dr. Carmen Lagman, a professor at De La Salle University-Manila, and Dr. Rhodora Azanza, former president of the National Academy of Science and Technology and professor at the University of the Philippines’ Marine Science Institute, stressed the need to shift from a land-based development approach to a sea-based strategy. They pointed out that the Philippines is a predominantly maritime nation with an economy heavily reliant on marine resources.
“There is an urgent need for a manpower development strategy in the maritime sector. We need relevant technologies and supported regulations to increase the contribution of our ocean economy to our GDP. We need this now as we anticipate decline in the resources. Our need for sea-based transport for countryside development and the increasing international standards for products and manpower,” she said.
She also cited statistics showing that of say $30 billion in annual remittances to the Philippines, $6 billion comes from sea-based workers.
However, Lagman pointed out that while the deployment of Filipino seafarers has increased, remittances have not kept pace. This is partly because Filipino seafarers are often hired in lower-tier positions, while countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India are now competing for jobs that were once predominantly filled by Filipinos. “That’s where, again, manpower development technology training will have to come in to increase and ensure their competitiveness,” she added.
She also shared insights from Gerardo Borromeo, CEO of Philippine Transmarine Carriers Group of Companies and Vice Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping. Borromeo highlighted that the Philippines has a longstanding tradition of shipbuilding, ranking between fourth and eighth among the world’s largest shipbuilding nations—following Japan, Korea, and China.
According to Borromeo, the country has over 107 shipbuilding and ship repair yards nationwide, with seven capable of handling large vessels. However, the industry faces challenges related to construction costs, competitiveness, efficiency, and manpower shortages.
“The Philippines has an internal market for ships, but we need advanced technology to comply with strict greenhouse gas emission regulations,” Lagman said. She noted that between 1989 and 2023, the number of registered overseas Philippine vessels dropped from over 400 to just 94.
She urged that a discussion on manpower development in the marine sector must include overseas Filipino workers in sea-based industries.
For her part, Dr. Rhodora Azanza cited the Blue Academy Act as a key operational framework for developing the Philippines’ archipelagic and maritime sectors.
Azanza highlighted that maritime manpower development and strategic planning are areas where the Philippines and France can collaborate. Unlike Lagman, who focused on seafarers, Azanza advocated for the training of marine scientists and technicians to support maritime policies and strategic initiatives.
She suggested that cooperation with France could begin with the exchange of scientists and students specializing in marine and maritime studies and planning.
Additionally, she underscored the need to improve sea-based transport for countryside development, especially as international standards for manpower and products continue to rise.
