THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) must be upbeat on the newly-issued proclamation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

President Marcos recently issued Proclamation No. 610 reserving a portion of land in Tondo, Manila for ownership and development by the DHSUD.

The proclamation was issued by the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

It amends Proclamation No. 96 (s. 2001) by excluding a certain portion of the land, identified as Lot 4-A, Csd-00-003715, located in Tondo, Manila, allowing DHSUD to own it and carry out urban development subject to final ground survey.

The President’s proclamation, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, authorizes the Environment Secretary to issue the corresponding Special Patent covering the area reserved for DHSUD’s township development projects.

The issuance also creates a Project Inter-Agency Committee (PIAC) chaired by DHSUD, with the DENR and the City Government of Manila as members.

The PIAC shall formulate and issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Proclamation, and identify the beneficiaries of the housing component of the township development.

From housing, let’s move to the maritime front.

The Philippine maritime industry got a big boost from the government after President Marcos renewed his support for a modern and future-ready maritime sector.

The President made the reiteration as the world celebrates the Day of the Seafarer 2024.

“Let me reiterate the full support of this administration as we strive to reach our goal of having a modern and future-ready maritime industry. To help us reach this objective, we recognize the role and efforts of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) by promoting a highly skilled and competitive maritime workforce as well as adopting an effective and efficient maritime administration governance system,” President Marcos said in his message posted on social media.

“I laud the MARINA for complying with international standards and keeping at par with other nations when it comes to this specialized industry. This year’s theme is a clarion call for us to share the best practices that help make the maritime sector a better, safer, and more fulfilling workforce for our seafarers,” he said.

He assured that the administration, through the Department of Transportation (DOTr), will continue to advance the country’s maritime industry and secure the best interest of all Filipino seafarers.

President Marcos likewise recognized the achievements and contributions of Filipino seafarers, which he considered the best in the world, in driving the growth of both the international shipping industry and the global economy.

“Therefore, with grateful hearts, we celebrate the many achievements and contributions of our Filipino merchant fleet as we celebrate the Day of the Seafarer for this year,” he said. Day of the Seafarer (25 June) is an annual celebration organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to recognize the contribution of seafarers to people’s everyday lives.

It was established in a resolution adopted by the 2010 Diplomatic Conference in Manila to adopt the revised Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention.

The resolution aims to recognize the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society.

Although seafarers are an essential component in world trade by keeping the economy moving, their role often goes under-appreciated within the maritime industry and by the general public.

Filipino seafarers play an important role in the world’s shipping industry.

Nearly a quarter of all the world’s seafarers are Filipinos. About half a million of them are at sea, it said, citing its March deployment data. More power to the Filipino sailors!

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