Bill creating more MARINA extension offices hurdles House panel

• Published date: 09 November 2022
• Publication title: Philippines News agency

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...