MARINA, JICA to Boost Shipbuilding Industry of the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!


The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) strengthens collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to boost Philippines’ shipbuilding and shiprepair industry.

“I am happy that JICA is taking the initiative to collaborate with us by extending technical assistance and expertise. JICA’s aid will greatly help us in promoting and developing our shipbuilding industry. We are hoping to further improve this relationship for the interest of Japan and Philippine maritime industry,” MARINA Administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero said.

JICA Senior Representative Tetsuya Yamada assured that JICA will continue to extend technical assistance and expertise to the MARINA in developing standard design for locally made ships, in establishing the Philippines’ first-ever maritime industrial hub, and in setting up a financing facility for local shipbuilders and ship owners.

Furthermore, JICA expressed support in the implementation of MARINA’s ten-year Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) which guides the MARINA in making the local shipbuilding and shiprepair industry globally-competitive and technologically-responsive.

Finally, JICA pledged to provide Japanese experts who will orient the MARINA in crafting the retirement criteria of aging domestic ships. To date, MARINA is in process of drafting the rules and regulations in addressing the increasing number of obsolete vessels operating for more than 30 years to further uphold safety and security within the Philippine maritime borders.

With these commitments, MARINA and JICA intend to attract more investors to support the modernization and ultimately, the transformation of the Philippines into a major shipbuilding and shiprepair nation.

beep Card Presents Modern PUV Automated Fare Collection Solutions at 2nd PhilAPEX

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Atty. Martin Delgra III (third from left) visits the beep™ booth displaying its latest payment solutions for public transportation during the 2nd Philippine Auto Parts Expo at the SMX Convention Center Mall of Asia. beep™ payment solutions offer a working fare collection system that can be readily installed in modern jeepneys and other PUVs. It supports the government’s PUV Modernization Program, which aims to make public transportation more convenient, safe, and environment-friendly.

With Delgra are AF Payments Inc. executives Johan Diaz (Senior Business Development Manager), Peter Maher (President and CEO), and Agnes Padilla (Marketing Head).

Interested parties may inquire about available beep™ card solutions at <johan.diaz@afpayments.com>.

UBE Express to Offer Free Rides Around Araneta Center for 3 Weekends

Wazzup Pilipinas! Starting August 18, UBE Express will offer free rides to the public going around Araneta Center via its articulated bus for three straight weekends. Starting August 18, UBE Express will offer free rides to the public going around Araneta Center via its articulated bus for three straight weekends. The articulated buses will pick up and drop off passengers at the Araneta Center Bus Station, the Smart Araneta Coliseum Green Gate, the Ali Mall on General McArthur Avenue and the Manhattan Heights on General Romulo Avenue on August 18, 19, 25, 26 and September 1, 2 and 3. The scheduled dispatches are at 8 am, 10 am, 12 noon, 3 pm, 5 pm and 7 pm. These trips are a prelude to the upcoming launch of UBE Express’ premium point-to-point route that will run from Araneta Center to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4, and back, which will be launched on September 3. UBE Express’ articulated buses are 61-feet tall and can accommodate up to 156 passengers. Meanwhile, Araneta Center’s environment-friendly e-shuttle services will remain in operation all days of the week from 12 noon to 9 p.m. The service, which picks up and drops off passengers at the Gateway Mall and Ali Mall, is a unique and free offering of Araneta Center to its shoppers and senior citizen visitors. At 35 hectares, the Araneta Center is one of the biggest mixed-use commercial hubs in the country. Visit www.aranetacenter.net for more details or follow our social media accounts: @aranetacenter on Facebook and Twitter and @thearanetacenter on Instagram.