Policy framework for PH blue economy submitted to Malacañang

Metro Manila, Philippines - Continuity is key in advancing the country’s blue economy, advocates said as they turned over a comprehensive policy framework to the government on Wednesday, March 19.

Advocates led by the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation presented its report in the “Philippine Blue Economy: Moving Forward” forum at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

On behalf of Malacañang, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin accepted the group’s consolidated report, which highlighted key concerns and policy suggestions from different sectors such as fisheries, energy, maritime transport, and tourism.

Among the recommendations were creating a clear governance structure for aquatic resources management, providing more support to maritime industry jobs, coming up with “economically productive” blue tourism plans, among others.

Cielito Habito from the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation said it is time for the Philippines to adopt a roadmap just like other Southeast Asian countries.

“We want to have continuity across political leaderships, which we know come and go and everytime the policy framework, the programs tend to change,” he said.

Bobby de Ocampo, who served as Finance Secretary under former President Fidel Ramos, also pointed out that the country has “no sense of continuity” in carrying out reforms.

“Blue economy is not something to play with in the next elections. It’s a construct that we can bring in order to have a vision and a definition of why we want the country in 2030, 2040…Now we revive this blue economy as legacy of the Ramos administration but as something that must be continued to provide basis for continuity towards a shared vision of the Philippines where the Philippines ought to be, not the Philippines going in circles,” he said.

Kiko Benitez, who authored the Blue Economy Act during his time as lawmaker, said the bill will provide safeguards in maritime resources once enforced into law.

The bill, which has cleared both the House of Representatives and the Senate, is included in the Marcos adminsitration’s common legislative agenda.