Boat owners, captains, motormen, and local government representatives in Negros Oriental have expressed their profound gratitude to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) for implementing key reforms that have significantly simplified the process of obtaining maritime documents and bolstered safety standards at sea.
In a recent meeting held in Dumaguete City, stakeholders praised the successful implementation of MARINA Circular No. 2025-03, which has led to simpler processes, reduced fees, and longer validity for boat documents. The local maritime sector also highly commended the free safety training programs organized by the agency.
“It was a great help; first of all, it eased our burden. I hope MARINA will continue with this advocacy because it can help a lot to solve some of our problems,” said Maria Rosana Valencia, a local boat owner, highlighting the positive impact of the changes.
The appreciation meeting coincided with the conclusion of MARINA’s highly successful one-week mobile operations in the province. These operations facilitated on-site registration, safety inspection, and franchising for local boats.
Key results of the mobile operations:
- 153 motorboats were successfully registered and inspected.
- 40 boat captains and 28 motormen successfully completed the Modified Basic Safety Training (MBST), led by MARINA Regional Office 7.
MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan emphasized the importance of the training. “The training conducted for our banca operators is a great contribution. We recognize your experience in boating, and this program is an additional knowledge to make your operations more knowledgeable and safe,” she stated.
Administrator Malaluan took the opportunity to thank the local governments of Dumaguay City and the towns of Bais, Dauin, Manjuyod, and Zamboanguita for their crucial support in the Safe Sea Voyage program. She also acknowledged the presence and commitment of the Philippine Coast Guard Southern Visayas District, led by Lt. Madrid.
This initiative in Negros Oriental is part of a broader MARINA program aimed at bringing government services closer to remote areas, pursuant to the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez.
The Administrator’s outreach efforts have included personal meetings with mariners in Coron, Palawan (September), and Binangonan, Rizal (October), demonstrating MARINA’s commitment to continuous engagement and improvement across the archipelago.
