By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday pledged to restore the Philippines’ status as a global shipbuilding hub, marking the revival of Subic’s shipyard through HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Philippines, Inc., as the first step in reclaiming its position among the world’s top shipbuilding nations.
“For decades, even centuries, the Philippines has given the world our finest seafarers. It is only fitting that we also supply the world with excellent vessels to sail on,” Marcos said during the ceremony that also marked the steel-cutting of the shipyard’s first vessel under Hyundai.
“Today, we will begin reclaiming our rightful place among the world’s great shipbuilding nations.”
The President noted that from 2014 to 2018, the Philippines ranked among the world’s top five shipbuilders, producing between 1.2 million and 2 million gross tons of vessels annually.
This momentum was lost in 2019 when Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Philippines, Inc. (HHIC-Phil), which once employed over 30,000 workers, went bankrupt, leaving the Subic shipyard idle and thousands jobless.
With the reentry of Hyundai under a reorganized entity, Marcos said Subic is now poised for a turnaround.
The shipyard’s capacity is expected to rise from 1.3 million to 2.5 million deadweight tons, doubling its ability from handling four to five massive tankers to as many as eight.
By 2030, the yard is expected to employ around 4,300 Filipinos, according to Marcos.
“That equates to thousands of families with food on the table, thousands of workers with dignity in their craft, and thousands of Filipinos who see shipbuilding as a source of livelihood,” Marcos said.
The President also highlighted the government’s partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to supply the industry with skilled workers.
Since November 2024, TESDA has established a training hub in Subic with Hyundai, graduating welders and offering scholarships in marine trades.
Sixteen specialized programs are now available to ensure Filipino workers meet global standards in shipbuilding.
“All these efforts show our commitment to reviving the industry to ensure that it will thrive in the generations to come,” the President said.
The Philippines remains a maritime labor powerhouse, with about 30 percent of the world’s seafarers being Filipino.
Marcos said strengthening domestic shipbuilding alongside the country’s skilled seafaring workforce would make the Philippines a “complete maritime nation.”
“Let us show the world that Filipinos have the skills and the vision to navigate the uncertain waters of an ever-changing world,” the President said. (PNA)
