NEWLY appointed Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Sonia Bautista Malaluan vowed that her being at the helm of MARINA, her brand of leadership will be a unifying and enabling one that will be beneficial to the maritime sector’s economic potentials.
“Let’s move forward to realize the economic potentials of our maritime sector. We need to change our mindset in public governance by engaging ourselves more with our industry stakeholders. I look forward to the series of dialogues with our partner-agencies and private sector stakeholders especially to our seafarers and small industry players in the countryside. We request the support of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to enable us to institute the needed reforms” Malaluan said after taking her oath.
In her new role as MARINA Administrator, Malaluan said she will focus her priorities based on the Agency’s available and limited resources:
- Effective implementation of the updated Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) 2028;
- Digitalization of the Agency’s frontline services nationwide;3. Certification of MARINA’s core processes under ISO 9001:2015 standards for quality management system;
- Enhancement of maritime safety by addressing the causes of maritime incidents;
- Sustained compliance with the requirements of the STCW Convention for seafarers 1978, as amended;
- Strengthening of the organizational structure and institutional capacity of the Agency;
- Strong collaboration and partnership with the PCG;
- Preparation for the Philippine compliance with the 2023 IMO Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships;
- Assessment of the effectiveness of existing policies and repeal those found to be obsolete and outdated;
- Engagement with industry stakeholders through regular fora, public consultations and dialogues; among others.
A staunch advocate of women’s empowerment and equality, Malaluan has also been campaigning actively for the sustainability of the maritime industry and the international call for decarbonization.
With a 34-year track record of service in MARINA, Malaluan was being sworn into office by DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista yesterday in front of senior officials and Central Office Service Directors.
Meanwhile, Bautista assured her of the DOTr’s continued support. “We look forward to working with you more closely. We are definitely here for the MARINA.”
The DOTr Chief also emphasized that the “our priority is what is good for the industry, what is better for the commuting public. We owe to our people to uphold and provide a comfortable, accessible, safe, secure sustainable and affordable transportation system for the Filipino people nationwide. We should do our work with integrity and honesty.”
Before her appointment as MARINA Administrator, Malaluan served in various capacities across administrative, finance, planning, and operations. She held the position of Deputy Administrator for Planning since November 2022.
In his decision to appoint Malaluan, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. cited her remarkable training and experience in economics, technology, finance, law, management, public utility, and other aspects of the maritime industry.
Malaluan spearheaded the crafting of plans and programs for the industry, including the 10-year MIDP 2028, which was presented to the President in February of this year.