THE Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), through its Administrator Sonia Bautista Malaluan, expressed the agency’s commitment to enhance maritime safety and marine environmental protection and regulatory efficiency by engaging in a partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The MARINA chief emphasized this during a courtesy visit on PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Latorilla Gavan today at the PCG headquarters in Manila.
Malaluan underscored the importance of robust collaboration and its dedication to fostering stronger connections with key government agencies not just the PCG but also with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). “Our commitment is to maintain open lines of communication and work hand in hand with PCG to ensure the safety of passengers and vessels.”
For his part, Gavan echoed the MARINA chief’s sentiment on the enduring partnership between the PCG and MARINA. “There is no hierarchy; we encourage both agencies to progress in fulfilling their mandates,” Gavan remarked, while advocating for a closer staff-to-staff engagement.
Citing the benefits and significance of technological advancements, Malaluan announced the nationwide roll-out of a digitalization initiative aimed at providing PCG district offices access to a comprehensive database of vessels with expired and active certificates. This system, she said, will play a pivotal role in preventing vessels with expired Certificates of Public Convenience (CPCs) from setting sail.
“The digitalization effort, slated for launch next year, will streamline certificate processes for shipping companies, ensuring a corruption-resistant environment by minimizing human intervention,” she explained.
She added that a nationwide orientation and user training are scheduled starting February, targeting stakeholders, including the PCG.
During the meeting, MARINA and PCG also pledged to conduct regular dialogues, along with a nationwide reorientation for PCG personnel regarding MARINA policies, rules, regulations and standards.
Meanwhile, the MARINA chief also outlined her three priorities for 2024, which are anchored on digitalization, safety of operations, and marine environment protection, all of which received full support from the PCG.
Malaluan’s visit is aligned with MARINA’s broader agenda to establish stronger ties with government agencies to ensure effective regulation and enforcement of maritime safety rules and regulations, with the objective of creating a safer and more efficient maritime transportation system in the country.