Marina vows to improve safety, domestic shipping

n Sonia Malaluan, administrator of Marina. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Administrator Sonia Malaluan recently convened Marina personnel and maritime stakeholders to encourage the promotion of a common approach in investigating marine casualties and incidents.

This endeavor also enhanced its competency to carry out safety investigations in accordance with international standards, based on the IMO Casualty Investigation Code.

The Marina Enforcement Service (ES) held the Capacity Building Workshop in the Conduct of Maritime Safety Investigation in Cebu City from April 1 to 5, 2024. Spearheaded by Enforcement Director Ronaldo Bandalaria along with Division Chief of the Complaints and Investigation Division Benedicto Manlapaz and capable staff, Roland Kenneth Ballesteros and Reniel Pascual.

Participants, comprising of 30 individuals from varied maritime backgrounds, delved into the intricacies of safety investigation.

During the 5-day program, participants engaged in a variety of interactive workshops, training sessions and open discussions — all centered around the importance of safety investigation in promoting a safety culture.

It was highlighted that safety investigation aimed to minimize, if not totally eliminate, the recurrence of similar marine accidents.

Malaluan lauded ES for its extensive work in organizing and facilitating the technical workshop. This sentiment was echoed by Bandalaria, cementing further Marina’s dedication in fostering a robust safety culture within the maritime industry.

In parallel with these efforts, a recent meeting with representatives from Ben Line Agencies Phils. Inc. delved into critical matters, concerning the ease of doing business and the promotion of domestic shipping and maritime safety.

Malaluan reiterated Marina’s unwavering commitment to deliver quality and efficient service, garnering support from industry leaders such as Director and Vice President Terence Uytingban.

Furthermore, Marina’s collaborative efforts extended beyond national borders as evidenced by its partnership with the Busan Marine Engineering Association (BUEA).

Through a cooperation agreement, Marina aimed to leverage BUEA’s expertise to bolster the country’s shipbuilding and domestic shipping sectors.

BUEA Ambassador to the Philippines Hyoungkyu Park provided updates on the shipping companies that expressed their interest to avail of the ship design offered by BUEA under the Integrated Ship Construction Support System Project.

Malaluan, accompanied by her chief of staff and Shipyards Regulation Service (SRS) director 2 Ramon Hernandez, also considered the proposal of BUEA to collaborate on another project.

This project aimed to develop a shipbuilding industry production technology and human resources training center in the Philippines.

This was also to promote the improvement of the shipbuilding sector as well as technological and human resource exchanges. In 2022, the Marina Training Institute was inaugurated in Bacolod City.

Discussions have also ensued regarding the establishment of a shipbuilding industry production technology and human resources training center — a move poised to drive mutual growth between the Philippines and South Korea.

Further, Shipyard Development and Licensing Division Chief Maria Teresa Mamisao, along with other SRS staff, accompanied Park to the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) on March 21, 2024 to discuss possible financing programs that might support the construction of vessels under the said Marina-BUEA project.

The Marina and BUEA delegation was welcomed by DBP Vice President for Corporate Banking Group Raquel Atienza and DBP Assistant Vice Presidents Jennifer Benedicto and Khaye Anzures.

With Administrator Malaluan’s visionary leadership at the helm, Marina continued to strive for excellence, collaboration and sustainable growth in domestic shipping.