The Department of Agriculture is setting aside P5 billion in the next five years for the construction of Filipino-made offshore multi-mission vessels as part of efforts to guard the country’s coastal waters and improve marine productivity. Initially built as research ships, the vessels were modified into offshore multi-mission vessels due to the intensified campaign against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The blueprints were created by global ship designer Incat Crowther and built by Josefa Slipways Inc. of Navotas City.

Simeon, L. M. (2017, August 13). DA allots P5 B for locally-made fishing vessels. Philippine Star, p. B5.