MANILA – The House Committee on Transportation on Wednesday approved a bill seeking to create additional Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) offices in Regions 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon) and 4-B (Mimaropa).
The bill aims to bring effective and efficient services closer to the people, particularly the Filipino seafarers, MARINO Party-List Representative Sandro Gonzales said.
“Many of our Filipino seafarers struggle when it comes to processing their MARINA documents because they do not have easy access to its offices,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzales, author of the bill, added that it is the reason why creation of these extension offices are deemed necessary – to save time for travel, transportation costs, and to secure a more convenient way to avail of maritime services.
He said regional offices would help MARINA inspectors and surveyors immediately schedule and conduct inspections.
The strategic areas identified by MARINO, as provided in the bill filed, are in Ilagan City, province of Isabela; Balanga City, province of Bataan; and Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.
“The creation of these extension offices is also expected to help expand tourism, improve shipment operations, secure safer fishing operations in the coastal areas of the regions covered, and increase employment,” Gonzalez said.
He assured to push for the passage of the bill for its eventual signing into law.
Gonzales said MARINO supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s call for an effective Maritime Industry Development Plan.
The measure is also in parallel with the Marcos administration’s goal of improving the equality of maritime services and advance the growth of the country’s maritime industry.
