By Ruben A. Veloria
SUBIC, Zambales, Philippines — The Philippines is strengthening its vision of becoming among world’s great shipbuilding nations as President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. led on Tuesday, Sept.2, the inauguration of Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard here.
“Ladies and gentlemen, today, we will begin reclaiming our rightful place among the world’s great shipbuilding nations,” Pres. Marcos said addressing the dignitaries attending the ceremony that also marked the steel-cutting of the shipyard’s first vessel under Hyundai.
The President noted that for decades, even centuries, the Philippines has given the world the finest seafarers. It is only fitting that the Philippines also supply the world with excellent vessels to sail on.
He said that from 2014 to 2018, the country’s shipyards were producing 1.2 to 2 million gross tons of ships—roughly around 20 oil tankers or 30 large container ships—annually.
In those years, the shipyard has provided employment to more than 28,000 highly skilled shipyard workers, and thousands more to indirect workers, including passenger jeepneys and buses, ambulant vendors, and more.
However, starting in 2019, its output fell, it lost its momentum, after the Subic-based South Korean shipyard declared bankruptcy and closed.
“Today, we raise the sails once more,” the President said.
“I am excited to see where this endeavor will take us,” he continued. “Together, let us show the world that Filipinos have the skills, the vision to navigate the uncertain waters of an ever-changing world.”
According to the President, with Hyundai Heavy Industries investing in Subic, the shipyard capacity will significantly increase from 1.3 million to 2.5 million deadweight tons, from handling four to five massive oil tankers to about now eight of those ships.
But more than size, now the ships that were to build –means that it can now accommodate vessels with higher volumes, boost its export potential, and create more jobs for Filipino workers.
By 2030, the President look forward to this yard employing 4,300 Filipinos. That equates to thousands of families with food on the table, thousands of workers with dignity in their craft, thousands of Filipinos who see shipbuilding as a source of livelihood.
“As President, I take great pride in Filipino hands navigating the world’s oceans. Thirty percent of the world’s seafarers are Filipinos. These are diligent men and women whose skill and dedication keep the seafaring industry moving every single day,” he continued.
Before the inauguration, to make the partnership succeed, the Philippine Government worked to match Hyundai’s investment with a skilled workforce worthy of their trust.
Last November 2024, TESDA signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Hyundai to establish an off-campus training facility in Subic.
Through this partnership, 24 trainees have completed the Flux-Cored Arc Welding NC I program and are now part of Hyundai’s workforce.
To train even more Filipinos, TESDA has awarded 25 more scholarship slots for Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC I and 100 slots for enterprise-based training in Flux-Cored Arc Welding NC I. This ensures a steady influx of skilled workers ready for the needs of this industry.
We now have 16 training programs covering every discipline—from marine electricity to gas or arc welding— these ensure that the skills forged meet the standards of any shipyard around the world.
All these efforts show the government’s commitment to reviving the industry to ensure that it will thrive in the generations to come.
