State Dining Room, Malacañan Palace
April 11, 2023

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. received several updates as he led a sectoral meeting on the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) accomplishments and projects for completion this year, as well as the Philippines’ compliance with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention.

Secretary Jaime Bautista presented the DOTr’s list of projects under its airport development, port development, railways target milestones and active transportation, noting that at least 18 airport development projects and at least 13 port development projects are either underway or almost 80% accomplished.

He also highlighted the DOTr’s accomplishments in the airport, maritime, railways and road sectors.

On the Philippines’ compliance with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention, President Marcos Jr. reiterated that the Filipino seafarers should continue being the preferred workforce of ship owners across the globe, which currently stands at 60 percent. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining the country’s STCW certification by addressing the areas for improvement and ways forward identified by the European Union (EU).

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