Embrace open seas policy, relax cabotage

THE Philippines has been liberalizing its economy, but many of the protectionist laws that remain are holding back development. One is cabotage, which not only causes bottlenecks to economic progress but may also be stunting growth in our shipping industry.

Traditionally, cabotage refers to transporting goods or people from port to port within the same country. Here, it also refers to laws that protect domestic shipping firms from foreign competition.