December 9 ------ The Department of Transportation is studying a program seeking to modernize domestic maritime vessels to improve safety and environmental-friendliness, similar to the government’s jeepney modernization program. Transport Usec. Timothy John Batan said the average age of ships in the country is more than 25 years old.
“Kasama ang World Bank, tayo ay nag-aaral ng isang programang similar to PUV modernization program, pero para sa mga barko, para matulungan din natin ang ating shipping industry na ma-modernize,” he said. “Ang ating domestic vessels, shipping fleet, ang average ay nasa more than 25 years. Ang isang epekto niyan yung mga makina ng barko natin, habang tumatakbo, less environmental friendly,” Batan added.
The government is also planning to expand existing ports and increase the number of ports in the country. “Mahalaga na tayo ay magkaroon ng sapat na bilang ng pantalan para itong ating mga barko hindi tumatagal masyado ang kanilang oras sa dagat na naghihintay… dahil kung naka-standby, tumatakbo pa rin yan at unnecessarily tumataas ang environmental footprint ng barko,” Batan said.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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