By Genivi Factao

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman Feliciano G. Salonga stressed that the proposed creation of a maritime department would speed up the decision- making on maritime affairs.

Salonga, who graduated from the US Merchant Marine Academy and is a Commodore in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA), promotes the creation of the maritime department.

"I told one of the very avid proponents of this creation of a Department of Maritime Affairs, Capt. Tanedo that it seems that his advocacy have gathered momentum. I’m not the original advocate of this, but I knew it was right and it’s necessary for us to have a Department of Maritime Affairs to accelerate the decision making involving the creation of a viable industry to serve the archipelago," he said.

Salonga further explained that the problem lies on the understanding of what an archipelago is.

"One problem is we don’t really understand is what archipelagic means and how to make the archipelago prosperous. Despite the fact that 90 percent of our commerce is moved over water and that 80 percent of our people lived along the coastlines. We have over 3,000 port and harbors in this country and the archipelago is 70 percent water," he emphasized.

President Arroyo has reportedly told the maritime sector to band together and lobby for the creation of the department.

The Department of Maritime Affairs, when created, would mean reorganization in the Department of Transportation and Communications and its agencies, such as Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and the Philippine Ports Authority.

Stakeholders believe that the Marina, which regulates the shipping industry, should be promoted as a cabinet agency.

Shipping industry players sought that the government resolve the decade long problem on transacting with several government agencies. Shippers complained that they have difficulty dealing with maritime issues because they have to face several government agencies.

MARINA administrator Vicente Suazo has recognized this claiming there is indeed a need for legislation to minimize the agencies. He added that there must be a legislation to correct and identify which agency will have the sole concern on maritime issues.

The efforts to create the department of maritime affairs dates back on the administration of Estrada.

The House Bills 883 and 2197, both seek to create a Department of Maritime Affairs that will be tasked to establish and administer integrated programs relative to the promotion, development and regulation of the country’s ports, shipping, shipbuilding and seafaring industries; promotion of maritime safety; protection of marine environment and resources; and training and development of the country’s seafarers and merchant marines.

"(The creation) emphasizes the urgent need to create a separate department that will formulate a comprehensive, sound and up-to-date policy that will govern the administration of the country’s maritime affairs," according to the said bill.